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8.30 am on Friday 17th July saw the first football kicked of the new LCL Shenfield Girls
Football Academy, as the first open training session was held for those aspiring to be part of
the brand-new football and education programme starting in September.
Eighteen girls attended the two-hour session where they were put through their paces in
social distanced groups of 4/5, completing a carousel of coaching sessions with Shenfield
staff, with representatives from London City Lionesses looking on. The sessions culminated
in a whole group practice where the girls applied the range of skills that were focused on during the technical drills.
Commenting on the session Paul Preston, Lead Teacher said, "We were very pleased with
the turn out and fantastic attitudes demonstrated by all the girls in their first training
session. The standard of football was very high, and the girls left with real excitement about
starting a full-time programme at Shenfield. Both the girls and staff cannot wait for pre-
season to commence at the end of August."
Diane Culligan from Chair of London City Lionesses added, “ On a fabulous sunny morning it
was fantastic to see the first steps taken on the new Academy’s journey. The players all
looked like they were really enjoying the session and there was some great talent on
display. We are very excited about the programme and our partnership with Shenfield, it’s
another great stride in the overall development of women’s football."
Players aiming to be part of the LCL Shenfield Girls Football Academy now need to wait for
their GCSE results to meet the academic requirements necessary to secure a place, with
enrolment scheduled for August 21st .
A limited number of places are still available so anyone interested in joining the Academy
should contact g.sapsford@shenfield.essex.sch.uk