Over the weekend the Hibernian Community Foundation held the largest girls’ only football festival in the UK!
The 2023 festival, sponsored by hibs.net, saw clubs from all across the UK flock to Meadowmill Sports Centre in East Lothian for the magnificent two-day extravaganza.
As the Community Foundation looks to inspire young people and to grow women’s football, there were girls participating from Under-8s level right the way through to Under-16s.
Eclipsing any girls’ only football tournament ran in the UK before, over 1,100 girls took part and over 100 teams entered from 72 different clubs.
Across the two days 357 games took place, with 71 hours of football played, and over 200 goals scored during that time!
There were also members of the Hibernian Women’s Team at the event, chatting to the girls and giving the youngsters advice on how to become a professional.
Paul Greig, Head of Football at the Hibernian Community Foundation, commented: “This event has been a huge success for everyone at the Hibernian Community Foundation, and we’re delighted to have held the largest girls’ only football tournament in the UK!
“I’d like to thank all the clubs who entered, our event sponsors Hibs.net and our delivery partners Enjoy Leisure East Lothian, My Football Hire, Joma UK and Diamond Football UK.
“Equally, a huge thanks to Scott MacDonald (volunteer coach and lead organiser for the girls’ festival), Calvin Shand (Girls Academy Manager) and Ayla Esen (Academy Coordinator) who have been in attendance all weekend from start to finish. Without their support this event wouldn’t have taken place.
“We hope this event has inspired many young girls and it was great to see so many young people enjoying their football with smiles on their faces.”