Leeds Launches First Girls’ Under-14s Football Team

New team set to represent city in upcoming football season

Leeds has established its first-ever girls’ under-14s schools football team, marking a significant development in the city’s youth sports landscape. The team, known as Leeds City Girls, has been formed following a series of competitive trials and will compete wearing a new football kit sponsored by the Welcome to Leeds initiative.

Team selection and background

The squad consists of 17 players selected from over 70 trialists through four rounds of trials. This selection process highlights the growing interest and talent in female youth football across Leeds. The creation of this team is a first for the city at this age group, aiming to provide young female players with opportunities to develop their skills and compete at a higher level.

Partnership and support

Welcome to Leeds, a city branding initiative managed by LeedsBID, is supporting the team by providing the official football kit. This partnership follows previous collaborations with local sports teams, including the Leeds Knights professional ice hockey team, reflecting an ongoing commitment to promoting diverse sporting activities within the city.

Ambitions and community impact

The team’s formation is seen as a step toward encouraging female participation in sport and raising the profile of women’s football in Leeds. The players are expected to represent the city in competitions across the north of England, with hopes that some may achieve recognition at national or international levels in the future.

Comments from organisers

• Martin Dickson, LeedsBID Director of Brand and Innovation: “LeedsBID and Welcome to Leeds is proud to support the team on their journey and shine a light on the team, its players and their progress. It will be great to see them flying the flag for Leeds right across the north of England and, if they do well, maybe even further afield.”
• Matt Wainwright, Lead Coach: “We have assembled an extremely talented squad which is capable of winning trophies, but most of all these girls are fiercely proud to play for Leeds. We now have a kit and partner in Welcome to Leeds to match our skills and ambition.”

The establishment of Leeds City Girls under-14s team reflects broader efforts to support youth sports and promote gender equality in football within the region.