Academy at Shotton Hall students into Premier League challenge final

The all female team won the semi-finals of the Premier League Enterprise Challenge, which encouraged young people from across the country to come up with enterprise ideas.

In December, the girls, Lily, Eden, Hollie-Ann and Caitlyn won the regional heat after coming up with the idea to increase the fan base and income from the USA for Sunderland AFC.

They then presented their idea to an audience and won through to the semi-finals held at Stoke City FC.

After weeks perfecting their presentation and business plan with Chris Towers, from the Foundation of Light, they went up against teams from Watford, Leicester, Swansea and Stoke.

Before their presentation in the semi-final, the girls were shown to their own executive box and given time to practice their pitch for the selected audience.

Journalist Kim Inglis was there to watch the girls and offer them some final feedback.

They secured their place in the final after making their presentation to representatives from the Premier League and Sports Relief,.

The competition has seen the girls develop their communication skills, their ability to work in a team and their organisational skills, as well as forming a strong friendship with each other.

The girls will travel to London on March 19 for a rewards day and will attend the final on the March 20.

The Academy expressed thanks to Chris Hooker, Jas Singh and Chris Towers for their hard work and dedication and the girls thanked Mrs Graham and Mrs Peele for their support.