A girls’ youth football tournament in Hitchin has been hailed as a huge success after hundreds of players and parents turned out.

The Comet: Football GalaFootball Gala (Image: Archant)

The competition, which was held to promote and encourage female youth football took place at Wilshere-Dacre Junior Academy on Saturday morning.

The Comet: Football GalaFootball Gala (Image: Archant)

The event saw nine teams and more than 80 players from nine different clubs – as well as around 200 mums and dads – cheering on the teams made up of Year 5 and Year 6 pupils from across the area.

Passionate advocate of girls football, Jez Wood, who coaches the Hitchin Belles U11 as well as helping Wilshere-Dacre youngsters was in attendance.

He told the Comet: “The place was absolutely buzzing. It was an exciting and positive environment for the players to express themselves in and be part of a team. The attitude from all who took part – as well as all the parents – made a refreshing change from the cynicism of the Premier League.

“There was such a positive attitude from all the girls involved.”

Visit www.hitchinbelles.com.