Girls’ football plays an important role in primary school sport. Across Lambeth and Southwark, school competitions provide opportunities for girls to develop their abilities, build friendships and enjoy representing their schools.
The Lambeth & Southwark Primary Schools Football League supports girls’ participation through its dedicated 7v7 competition.
For young players, the experience can be about much more than scoring goals or winning matches.
Why Girls’ Football Matters in Primary Schools
Primary school is an important time for children to discover activities they enjoy.
Football can provide girls with an environment where they develop physical skills, form friendships and become more confident in their abilities.
Participation also helps challenge outdated assumptions about who football is for.
When girls see their classmates representing their schools and enjoying competitive matches, football becomes a visible and accessible part of school life.
Importantly, a positive first experience can encourage children to remain involved in sport as they grow older.
What Is the Girls 7v7 Football League?
The league operates a dedicated Girls 7v7 competition for participating primary schools across Lambeth and Southwark.
Seven-a-side football provides an organised format in which pupils can develop their understanding of the game.
With fewer players on the pitch than in larger formats, children have opportunities to practise passing, movement, defending and decision-making during matches.
The league’s published rules specify 40-minute matches for girls’ 7v7 competitions, with rolling substitutions permitted.
These arrangements help schools organise competitive matches while supporting player involvement.
For information about divisions and fixtures, visit the Girls 7v7 League.
Building Confidence Through Competitive Football
Confidence develops through experience.
For a young player, making an important tackle, completing a successful pass or helping a teammate can provide a genuine sense of achievement.
However, confidence also develops when things do not go to plan.
Missing a chance, losing possession or experiencing defeat can teach children to persevere and support one another.
Positive encouragement from coaches, teachers and families helps create an environment where pupils feel comfortable learning.
The emphasis should remain on enjoyment, development and participation alongside healthy competition.
Celebrating Girls’ Football Through the Briggs Parr Cup
One distinctive feature of the league is the Briggs Parr Cup, a girls’ football competition named in recognition of two important figures in women’s football: Joan Briggs and Lily Parr.
Both played during periods when women’s football faced significant barriers.
By recognising their contributions, the competition connects today’s young players with the history of the women’s game.
It also provides schools with an opportunity to celebrate sporting achievement and discuss the importance of equality in football.
Learn more about the competition on the league’s Cup History page.
How Schools Can Encourage More Girls to Play Football
Schools can help make football more accessible by creating welcoming opportunities for pupils with different abilities and levels of experience.
Encouraging beginners, celebrating improvement and promoting positive role models can make a meaningful difference.
Teachers can also involve pupils in training activities before introducing competitive fixtures, helping them develop confidence at their own pace.
Above all, girls should feel that football is a sport in which they belong.
Discover Girls’ School Football in Lambeth and Southwark
The Lambeth & Southwark Primary Schools Football League provides an established opportunity for girls to experience organised school football.
Through teamwork, competition and shared enjoyment, pupils can develop skills that benefit them both on and off the pitch.
Visit the Girls 7v7 League to explore fixtures, results and opportunities for participating primary schools.
