Vision for Education and Durham Women have combined to give over 100 local youngsters a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Wembley Stadium.
The Barclays Women’s Championship club have been partnered with the leading educational recruitment company for a decade, in what is now one of the longest-running shirt sponsorship deals in the country.
Since the relationship began, the club and Vision for Education have sent hundreds of children to England’s national stadium to watch international or cup final fixtures.
And this year, the duo combined to send two coachloads of pupils from across the North East to the famous stadium for the 2023 Vitality Women’s FA Cup Final.
Due to the success of previous trips, Vision for Education were also able to offer tickets to their SEND team for the first time – creating even more memories for youngsters in our region.
The lucky schools who attended this year’s trip were:
- Kepier School
- Kingsmeadow Community School
- Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy
- Castle View Enterprise Academy
- Durham Trinity School
- East Durham College
- Epinay School
- Southlands School
- Keelman’s Way School
Ahead of the trip to London, several of the schools were visited by Durham Women captain Sarah Wilson to deliver their tickets as the excitement built.
And then at Wembley, the students – many of whom are aspiring female footballers – were treated to a tantalising clash between heavyweights Chelsea and Manchester United as well as a number of exciting off-field activites.
It was the Blues who eventually ran-out winners on the hallowed turf as Sam Kerr’s second half strike sealed a 1-0 victory in front of a record-breaking crowd for a women’s domestic fixture, with over 77,000 in attendance.
Commenting on the trip, Vision for Education Branch Manager Paul Hillas said: “It’s such a privilege to be able to offer our client schools and North East students a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit Wembley and attend the Vitality Women’s FA Cup final.
“The feedback we received form the schools, teachers and students who went to Wembley was excellent and they all had an unforgettable day.
“Our partnership with Durham Women FC allows us to give back to our schools in many ways, but this is the one everyone looks forward to!
Natasha Hendy, Vision for Education’s SEND Branch Manager, added: “We are so grateful for our continuous partnership with Durham Women FC which allows us to provide this fantastic opportunity to our schools.
“The staff, students and parents who attended thoroughly enjoyed their trip to Wembley to watch the Vitality Women’s FA Cup Final.
“Not only does this help to promote woman’s football within schools but this has been a once in a lifetime experience for the young people we work with.”
And Mark Donnelly of Durham Women commented: “This trip is always a major highlight of the year, and the fact we were able to offer it to more schools and pupils than ever before is absolutely brilliant.
“It’s great that we can continue to work with Vision for Education on exciting initiatives such as this – and tournaments which we have run earlier in the year – to continue to engage with and inspire young females in the region.
“I’m really excited to see the partnership continue to develop in the coming years.”
To find out more about Vision for Education, and how they could work with you, visit visionforeducation.co.uk
