2021-2022
The Mount Kelly Girls’ Football Programme have had a fantastic first year!
The year began with some tough pre-season fixtures against Reading U18G and London Bees U18G Academy teams giving the girls a chance to come together as a team and begin to build the strong bonds that would set them up for the successes to follow.
Early victories over Millfield School and Kings College, Taunton, strengthened the confidence of the Team who went on to become ISFA U18 National 7s Champions, beating a talented Rossall School in the final.
Following the ISFA England trials in September 4 Mount Kelly players were selected for the U18 squad, with one given the honour of being named captain of the ISFA National team. At U16 level we had two players that made the grade 6 players were invited to the ISFA training camp in October.
In October two players were invited to the Chelsea U18G Academy training session at the Cobham Training Ground, Chelsea FC. Both played well and were invited back following which one team member was selected to [play for Chelsea against Leicester in a cup fixture. An extraordinary experience for one of our young players.
Further fixtures against Truro and Penwith College U19G, Wims 11 U15B and SW Saints U15B made a busy November culminating in a strong win in the ISFA National Cup competition against Millfield.
In December, the squad visited Chelsea FC and enjoyed a superb tour of the Stamford Bridge Stadium. The squad were VIP guests for the women’s Champions League match against Juventus WFC and had the opportunity to chat with the Chelsea WFC Assistant Manger, Tanya Oxtoby. The girls played a game against a team from the Chelsea Satellite Academy, Blenheim U19G watched by six Chelsea WFC Academy coaches, including Academy Manager, Dean Steninger and the Head of the Chelsea Foundation, Dan Jacquard. The Mount Kelly team played a superb match following which several players were invited to train at Cobham Training Ground for further training with Chelsea WFC Academy.
Internationally Mount Kelly girls have played for England ISFA U18G, TGK U16G Academy and Oxford FA U16G. Two girls attended the Alberta Summer Games Camp in Red Deer, Canada to prepare for The Canada Summer Games Tournament in August 2022. Girls have also played for both Wales and Scotland at international level.
Looking to life beyond Mount Kelly the girls enjoyed a presentation about the opportunities in North American Football given by Graham Kennedy, Head Coach ST. FX University, Halifax, NS, Canada. The St. FX University programme is partnered with Exeter University.
Strength and Conditioning is a key part of all sports offered at Mount Kelly and the Football Squad have worked hard in their sessions. Throughout the Lent Term this commitment paid off with a series of good wins in the many planned fixtures. Weekly coaching analysis sessions have also improved our performances significantly.
Various eminent coaches have visited the School to talk to the girls about opportunities after A Levels including the Head Coach at Quincy University, Chicago, Illinois, USA, Mackenzie Bellows, and Sophie Reynolds representing a USA Agency.
Locally the girls have been selected to play for Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United. The annual Brunel Cup saw 9 of our players representing either Devon or Cornwall.
In other matches Sunderland RTC U18G squad came to Mount Kelly in preparation for their international visit to Malta.
Other trips included a visit to the unparalleled facilities at Nottingham University and another trip to Stamford Bridge to see Chelsea play – always a highlight for the team.
