Warwick Juniors on the up after humble beginnings

A team which formed three years ago with just four regular players is now rubbing shoulders with the academy elite.
Warwick Juniors Girls' Under-11 side. Picture submittedWarwick Juniors Girls' Under-11 side. Picture submitted
Warwick Juniors Girls' Under-11 side. Picture submitted

And Craig Irvine, manager of Warwick Juniors Girls’ Under-11s, says the pace at which the team have progressed is scarcely believable.

When Irvine introduced his daughters to the Saturday morning All-Stars sessions at Aylesford School, there were barely enough players to form a five-a-side team.

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Word spread, though, and last year Juniors entered an under-ten team in the Central Warwickshire Girls’ League.

Their first taste of competitive football proved a real eye-opener, however.

“The season started and was a huge shock to the girls and we were getting beaten quite heavily every week,” said Irvine. “But not once did these girls ever moan.

“They all stuck together and prided themselves each week in winning the three cheers at the end of the match which has played a huge part of what we have now.”

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Team strengthening ahead of the current campaign means there are now up to 16 players at each training session and results have improved.

After just five games in Division One, Warwick were promoted to the Premier League where they now come up against academy teams including Wolves and Coventry City.

Irvine continued: “I think this is a huge achievement for a group of girls from Warwick and its all down to their hard work and fantastic commitment.

“They have become a group of best friends and I as their manager am so proud of them.”

http://www.warwickjuniorsfc.co.uk/

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