Festival of football sees Ayr United team up with South Ayrshire primary schools for first ever Girls' Somerset Cup

Scores of young football stars have competed in the first ever edition of a tournament held to promote the growth of the girls' game.

Pupils from 11 South Ayrshire Primary schools lined up this week in the inaugural Somerset Cup - an event cross promoted by Chloe Kincaid and Hayley Minnis of Ayr United's Youth Board and the Ayr & District Primary Schools’ FA.

Healthy competition and plenty of good football was on show as the teams competed at the Riverside Sports Arena in front of a packed crowd of parents. Prestwick's Kingcase Primary took the honours by lifting the Somerset Cup, with St. John’s Primary winning the Shield and Tarbolton Primary winning the Salver.

Grant Paterson, of the Ayr & District Primary Schools’ FA, said: "We were delighted when Graeme Mathie at Ayr United approached us to ask if we could give his Ayr United Youth Board some help and support with their project. The aim was to help promote and build engagement in girls’ football within our primary schools.

"At the event, the Youth Board displayed fantastic organisation and leadership skills by running the entire the event, from start to finish. Chloe and Hayley fronted a very professional team. I would like to congratulate the Youth Board on their tremendous achievement and hope that there are more events to come from their team.

"The tournament was a huge success and the youth board have certainly achieved their goal, as there were schools participating that hadn’t had a girls’ team all school year - an amazing result."

Chloe added: "The response we had was great and all of the schools were really keen to get involved. We wanted to put on a competition for the girls that would be a success and hopefully this can become an annual event now."

United managing director, Mathie, said: "It was a tremendous effort from Chloe and Hayley to organise the day and well done, also, to youth board colleagues Jack and Lewis for their assistance. The Youth Board has been a brilliant addition to the club this year and the young people have been a credit to their schools. They are definitely inspiring the next generation."

The Girls’ version of the Somerset Cup Tournament was contested by Alloway, Troon, Heathfield, Kingcase, Coytlon, Newton, Tarbolton, St. John’s, St. Nininan’s, Forehill and Dalmilling.

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