Budding Lionesses at a secondary school can now hone their football skills on a new pitch. Davison CE High School for Girls in Worthing celebrated the long-awaited opening of the 3G football pitch with the help of former Albion captain Dani Bowman. Davison is one of the largest schools in the area with around 1,300 pupils, who will have the opportunity to play sports all year round thanks to their new pitch.
Dani Bowman cutting the ribbon (Image: Hayden Baker/BHAFC Foundation) The school has had a long association with the Albion and the BHAFC Foundation. Foundation coaches work in Davison every week, coaching at after-school clubs and delivering PE lessons. Former player and current Albion Under-19s head coach Dani, along with three of her Under-19 players, were invited to the official pitch opening ceremony.
Dani spoke of the importance of having proper facilities for young girls who want to get into football. “It’s unbelievable for these young girls that they get to play matches on this pitch, as well as the local community and the foundation, which is amazing,” she said. “Some of the girls in our academy system have come from schools like these, so having these relationships is so important.
Being able to work in schools and coach these girls from a young age, and also now giving them a fantastic 3G to play on, will mean we can really see what they’re capable of.” Nathan Casselton, women and girls development officer at the BHAFC Foundation, has helped develop.