LEAF STUDIO School girls’ Under-15s footballers made history by securing a treble-winning season.

They won the Bournemouth District, Poole & East Dorset District and ESFA Small Schools National Cups, the latter coming at West Bromwich Albion’s The Hawthorns ground last month.

The girls completed the treble with a resounding 4-1 win over King James Royston Academy, with braces from both year nine Tilly Westcott and captain Faye Smithson of year 10.

Dan Evans, head of sport, specialism and lead football coach at the school, expressed his pride in the team's historic achievement, saying: “What an incredible season the girls have had.

“They have proven themselves by becoming national champions along with dominating the local competitions as well.

“I’m really proud of their resilience after losing in the national final last year – so to come back and win at the second time of asking shows their development in the last 12 months.”

He continued: “These girls have worked hard all season aiming to develop their individual and team game.

“They are a great group of players with fantastic character and determination. Many of the girls have also represented the school in the boys’ competitions; providing them with opportunities like this has really raised their standards and improvement across all four corners.”

Faye Smithson, captain of LeAF U15 girls, said: “We had everyone behind us cheering us on in the final, and we are so grateful for their support as it really gave us a lift.

“We have worked hard all season and it made the day amazing.”

The LeAF Studio Girls U15 treble is not just for the record books but also an inspiration for young girls in Dorset to excel on the highest levels.

This win comes at a pivotal time when discussions around gender equality in youth sports are more prominent than ever with LeAF pushing the English Schools FA (ESFA) for equality in cup competition.

Currently there is no U16 girls cup for small schools, yet there is a boys competition.

This is something Evans and LeAF wish to address for next year and to provide the U15 girls an opportunity to defend their title.

Evans said: “LeAF aims to inspire local female footballers to attend LeAF, be exposed to great coaching so as to develop and maximise their potential by competing at the highest level of football available to them.

“By providing opportunities to compete at district, county and national schools’ level, it allows all students to participate and experience sporting success within a mainstream state school setting.”