Primary school girls get chance to train at Villa

Chilwell Croft Academy's girls' football team trained at Aston Villa's academy as part of a celebration of International Women's Day

A girls' football team is marking International Women's Day with a training session at Aston Villa.

Chilwell Croft Academy, in Newtown, Birmingham, was one of a number of primary schools invited to play at Aston Villa's Inner City Academy.

The event was one in a series to help young female footballers to make memories, while promoting equality and inclusion in the game.

Childwell Croft's first girls' football team was set up by PE teacher Tori-Ellis Willetts, a former British Army soldier and championship boxer. She said it was to help the students follow their dreams.

The 29-year-old, who also offers one-on-one boxing sessions with pupils who are struggling at school, is working with the My Tomorrow campaign.

The project, funded by the West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP), aims to improve the life chances of young people in inner-city Birmingham and beyond.

"It enables the students to experience other things in life, outside of the classroom and raises their aspirations, rather than them thinking they can't achieve something, or just settle for what they've got so far," she said.

"Football is great fun and it encourages me to stay active," 10-year-old Sahar said.

"We have had chances to go to so many places and try, not just football, but boxing and basketball too."

Chilwell Croft Academy has access to the state-of-the-art facilities at the Villa academy since the school joined the club's Premier League Primary Stars Programme.

Danielle Beckett, schools manager for the Aston Villa Foundation, said its opening last year had been a highlight for staff and students.

"The facilities we have been able to use have given our events, beyond our core programme delivery, the wow factor and a positive lasting effect on the pupils who have taken part," she said.

"Celebrating campaigns such as International Women's Day helps to empower the girls in the local communities around Villa Park, showcasing how female involvement in football and sport is increasing."

Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands, Simon Foster, who chairs the Violence Reduction Partnership's strategic board, said the celebrations of International Women's Day at Aston Villa shows the power of sport in young people's lives, and highlights the importance of collaboration.

"Tori is a great role model to her pupils and her work aligns perfectly with the aims of the My Tomorrow campaign, which has engaged thousands of young people in positive activities, not only through sport, but also careers fairs, youth summits and with the launch of a new educational programme in schools."