MP ‘delighted’ by visit to primary school to meet girls football team

An MP visited a primary school on Friday to meet the girls’ football team in a boost to their campaign for inclusivity.

Marsha de Cordova, MP for Battersea, said she was “delighted” to attend the football session at Ark John Archer Academy, in Plough Road, Battersea.

She said: “Football has always played a huge role in my life and I’m committed to ensuring the sport continues to inspire girls and young women across Battersea.

“I had a wonderful visit at Ark John Archer School and I was delighted to see the pure joy the girls at Ark John Archer have for the sport.”

Ms De Cordova heard from staff and pupils about their ideas to better support girls to play grassroots football.

The event formed part of the Football Association’s #LetGirlsPlay campaign to give all girls equal access to the sport.

Created in 2021, the initiative has now reached its target to deliver equal access to football in PE lessons in 75 per cent of schools.

The visit came more than two years after Ms De Cordova launched a campaign to get a football pitch on Clapham Common, to be used by all in Battersea and Wandsworth.

In August 2022, the MP posted on X: “Incredibly, Battersea doesn’t have any full-size 3G football pitches. @FootballFoundtn have identified the perfect site: the Old Redgra on Claphham Common.”

Following her visit to the academy last week, she doubled down on the calls, saying it is “clear” that a football pitch on Clapham Common “would support the work to drive equal access to sport”.

Pictured top: Marsha de Cordova, MP for Battersea with Ark John Archer Academy girls football team (Picture: Marsha de Cordova)