First Training Session Held At The London City Lionesses Shenfield Girls Football Academy

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