A FOOTBALL festival has proved an exciting learning experience for 600 girls.
All-girl teams from more than 50 schools competed in the Three Lions Girls World Cup Festival, three months ahead of the real World Cup.
Each team adopted a country playing in this summer's World Cup, learning about its geography, culture and traditions. And they played matches in their country's colours.
The tournament, aimed at girls under ten, was organised by Tees Valley Sport in partnership with the local authorities of Hartlepool, Stockton, Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland.
Jean Lordon, executive director of Tees Valley Sport, said: "These were really exciting events. Girls football is the fastest growing and biggest sport for women in England."
She added: "The aim of the girls football festivals is to publicise local football clubs, and to encourage more girls to play football at an early age. It also serves to strengthen the links between clubs and schools so that more youngsters can enjoy and benefit from participating in the game."
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