Pupils in Clifton enjoyed a school day with a difference as they helped conduct the draw for The SSE Women’s FA Cup fourth round.
Farnborough Academy pupils Ella Barrett and Tallula Panayi were chosen to experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as they drew the six ties that will make up the next round of the competition.
They were joined in doing so by Nottingham Forest’s Andrea Bell with Year 7 students and teachers alike also watching on in the school hall.
The next round ties will be played on Sunday 19 February with 11-year-old Ella delighted with her unique role.
“It felt really good to represent the school, and it’s a really big deal because I love football, it’s something I really enjoy doing,” she said.
“When I look back on it, I can say I took part in a big thing.”
And 13-year-old Tallula, a Nottingham Forest fan, admitted she had been the envy of all her class-mates.
“It was a good opportunity to pick the teams and see who would play each other,” she said.
“My friends said they wished they could do it instead of me!"
Farnborough Academy – who have former Forest defender and now PE teacher Julian Bennett among their staff – was chosen to host the draw thanks to its partnership with Teach First, a charity supported by SSE that aims to address educational inequalities in English and Welsh schools.
Bell, whose Forest side was drawn by the two pupils to face Millwall Lionesses away, added she believes women’s football in the city will only go from strength to strength with initiatives such as this.
"It's massively important for women's football," she said.
"You need as much participation as possible and seeing the cup up close and personal will be a huge inspiration for young girls and young boys.
"They've been really excited. They really enjoyed the session and there's a few decent footballers in there, a few that Forest wouldn't mind looking at signing!"
Tickets are now on sale for the SSE Women’s FA Cup Final on Saturday 13 May at Wembley Stadium connected by EE. For the second consecutive year, kids go free to the final. Adult tickets cost £15 and can be purchased here: https://ticketing.thefa.com/
