The NSFA Skellern Cup made a successful return this week at North Turramurra Recreation Area, featuring over 400 female players from across 12 schools in the NSFA region.
After two years of COVID postponements, NSFA Head of Female Football Eilidh Mackay underlined the importance of the free event heading into the 2022 winter football season.
Click here to view photos from both days!
“With less than 18 months until we host a Women’s World Cup here in Australia and New Zealand, this Skellern Cup has been a great way to celebrate female football and show the benefits of the game to players, parents and schools in the region.
“It’s been fantastic to see all the girls getting out on the field and enjoying football with their friends, regardless of whether they’ve played the sport before.
“These tournaments create lifelong memories for players and we’re grateful to have the opportunity to provide that experience to our next generation of footballers.”
The Skellern Cup was conducted across two days, with teams in years 3 and 4 taking part in the Junior Cup on Wednesday before years 5 and 6 participated in the Senior Cup on Thursday.
Teams received points throughout the day across a broad range of criteria, including fair play and school spirit while playing four matches.
In a first for the Skellern Cup, the Junior and Senior Cups were both awarded to teams from Roseville Public School.
NSFA would like to acknowledge the efforts of the schools, parents and our game-day volunteers from NSFA, Northern Tigers and XLR8 Player Development who brought this year’s event to life, as well as Ku-ring-gai Council for their support in rescheduling the tournament from September 2021 into the busy March pre-season window.
The event was further supported by Sydney FC and Ku-ring-gai Councillor Alec Taylor.
The NSFA Skellern Cup is one of many initiatives designed to support players under the What’s Best For Her strategic plan.
“Skellern Cup plays a key role in the growth of female football within NSFA as we aim to increase female player representation to 32% overall by 2024,” commented Eilidh Mackay.
“Participants from both days were provided a leaflet containing information on girls football offerings within the NSFA region, and we hope to see all this week’s players out on the park this season!”
#WhatsBestForHer
Click here to read about our various female football player programs.
Read more about the NSFA What’s Best For Her strategy here.
2022 Schools
- Artarmon Public School
- Gordon East Public School
- Hornsby Heights Public School
- Hornsby North Public School
- Marist Catholic College North Shore
- Mount Colah Public School
- Neutral Bay Public School
- Roseville Public School
- St Michael’s Lane Cove
- St Patrick’s Asquith
- Wahroonga Public School
- Willoughby Public School
About the Skellern Cup
The Skellern Cup intends to promote the continued growth of primary school aged girls participating in our weekly competitions.
The free event aspires to celebrate girls playing football, bringing together regular players and non-players to showcase the inclusiveness, enjoyment and camaraderie football as a sport provides.
The Skellern Cup is named after Amanda and Kimberley Skellern, twin sisters who have played representative club football for Northern Tigers FC for over 10 years after beginning their football careers at local club West Pymble FC.