For the first time in The English School Girls football history, we entered two teams into the Ayia Napa Soccer Festival 2026, consisting of an U13 group made up of Year 1 players alongside two Year 2 players and an U15 group made up of Year 2, 3 and 4 players, supported by Year 1 players. With two teams participating and 21 players, The English School are proud to continue to support girls’ football in Cyprus and with the strongest girls presence at the tournament which boasts over 3000 participants including international teams, The English School certainly had a successful impact.
Our U13 team started on fire, claiming wins against Portuguese professional side Varzim SC and Cypriot giants Pafos FC in the group stages, finishing second in the group stage out of 5 teams, earning a place in the semi-finals. With a place in the televised final on the line, our determined and passionate U13 side narrowly missed out, losing 6-3 in extra-time to Varzim SC. Not allowing their heads to drop, our U13 girls channelled their disappointment into boosting the depth of our U15 team who arrived determined and motivated to have a successful tournament.
Our U15 team included six Year 4 players who first attended the tournament in 2023 as Year 1 players. In what could be their last tournament together, they had one goal in mind, which was to leave with the trophy. Year after year, we have seen improvements and development, and they arrived with fire in their belly to go one step further after last year’s semi-final defeat. Leaving no room for doubt, they did just that, and they performed to an exceptional level with last minute goals, penalty shoot-out wins and only conceded one goal in the entire tournament to cement their place in history as the 2026 Ayia Napa Soccer Festival Girls U15 winners. Maria Leandrou, one of those experienced and determined Year 4 players finished top soccer in the U15 category and provided two moments of magic with back-to-back last-minute winning goals across two days. It was a hugely rewarding tournament for all involved, culminating in the trophy ceremony on the final day which was televised live on CytaVision Sports. It was a memorable moment to see our Year 4 girls win their first trophy after four years of hard-work and likewise to do it alongside numerous Year 1 players just starting their football journey was a touching moment and the best example of what can be achieved with team-work, spirit and hard-work.
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