Students at a North London school took part in a piece of sporting history this week, helping draw the teams for The SSE Women’s FA Cup fifth round.
Pupils at Hornsey School for Girls were assisted by Arsenal defender Jemma Rose, as fellow students and teachers watched the 16-team draw.
The audience gasped and cheered when it was revealed that the two big sides in the area, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, would battle it out for a place in the quarter-finals, to be played on Sunday 19 March.
Students Julianna Guerra Calvo, 15, and Jessica Mendes, 15 picked the balls out of the red velvet bag, with the SSE Women’s FA Cup trophy on display, and both were delighted to be a part of the draw.
“It feels amazing, because I represent PE for Hornsey and now I represent the draw too, so that’s great,” Year 11 pupil Juliana said.
“My teacher told me when I was coaching Year 7 and 8 at football – it was just so exciting, I was so happy when I found out.
“My friends said it was amazing to represent women’s football.”
Year 10 student Jessica added: “It was an amazing opportunity to have the draw down at Hornsey School for Girls. I was excited – at the same time I was nervous, but not too nervous!
“I also told my mum and she said ‘you love playing football, it’s what you want to do, so take your opportunity’.
“My best friend told me she was proud of me, and my other friends told me to go for it.”
Hornsey School for Girls 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.
Rose, who took questions and answers from pupils and helped out with a training session with youngsters, said the talent on show could produce the next generation of youngsters.
“Having the SSE Women’s FA Cup down here inspires the pupils to want to achieve in women’s football and sport in general and, ultimately to be part of the SSE Women’s FA Cup when they grow up, to have that as a goal to achieve throughout their footballing careers,” she said.
“There were a few more knees and feet involved in the keepy-up session we did, but I’m sure they’ll be able to show off their talent one day.
“The session was exciting and it was good to be part of it.”
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 by clicking here
