Pupils at a Perry Barr-based academy experienced a once-in-a-lifetime moment as they conducted the draw for the SSE Women’s FA Cup third round.
In front of Broadway Academy lecture hall, packed with classmates and teachers, Leya Hussain and Sana Kazi drew the 12 ties that make up the third round of the competition.
The teenagers were joined by Aston Villa midfielder Beth Merrick, who also conducted a question and answer session with the pupils and joined in a training session with the girl’s football team.
Hussain, 16, said: “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and I felt really honoured to be chosen to represent my school.
“And to show other girls, and other pupils in general, that people from our backgrounds can have these opportunities, that it doesn’t matter where you’re from - your gender or religion does not matter, anyone can do it.”
Leya teamed up with 14-year-old Sana to conduct the 24-team draw, in the age-old tradition of pulling numbered balls from a velvet bag.
Broadway Academy 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.
And 21-year-old Merrick, who grew up in Lichfield and came through the Villa youth system, was heartened to see girls football take such pride of place in the school’s plans.
“To be a local girl, seeing girls that are younger than me, on a similar path to myself, at occasions like this is massive,” said the former England under-19 international.
“As a woman I’m trying to promote the women’s game because it wasn't the same when I was younger.
“So to see them having the opportunities they have now, is great.”
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. To purchase tickets click here
