Young footballers from Chilwell Croft Academy in Birmingham were among a number of local primary schools from across the West Midlands who were invited to play at the premier league clubs’ facility this week, in a series of special events in the run up to International Women’s Day today (March 8).
The first girls’ football team at Chilwell Croft Academy was set up by former British Army soldier and GB boxer Tori-Ellis Willets to inspire Year 5 and 6 students to follow their dreams on and off the pitch.
The 29-year-old is working with the My Tomorrow campaign, which is funded by the Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) and aims to improve the life chances of young people in the West Midlands.
She said: “There’s a lot of young people who haven’t got people pushing them and making them go beyond the boundaries, so I think giving the children opportunities, through my work with the school, the partnership with the Aston Villa Foundation and the My Tomorrow campaign is really important to me.
The first girl’s football team at Chilwell Croft Academy was set up by former British Army soldier and GB boxer, Tori-Ellis WilletsThe first girls' football team at Chilwell Croft Academy was set up by former British Army soldier and GB boxer, Tori-Ellis Willets (Image: West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership) “It enables the students to experience other things in life, outside of the classroom and raises their aspirations, rather than them thinking they can’t achieve something, or just settle for what they’ve got so far.
“My parents and siblings were always like that with me, pushing me and it makes you grow as a person. If you can be a role model to the younger people and give them the message that they can achieve whatever they want to achieve, you should, somebody’s got to do it.”
These special training sessions for girls across the region in the run up to International Women’s Day were designed to help young female footballers make memories while promoting equality and inclusion in the game.
Danielle Beckett, Schools Manager for the Aston Villa Foundation, said the opening of the facility last year has been a real highlight for staff and students.
She said: “The facilities we have been able to use have given our events, beyond our core programme delivery, the wow factor and a positive lasting effect on the pupils who have taken part.
“During the 2023/24 Academic year, 18 girls-only extra-curricular football sessions were able to take place outside of the classroom environment, with this number continuing to rise in 2025.
“Celebrating campaigns such as International Women’s Day helps to empower the girls in the local communities around Villa Park, showcasing how female involvement in football and sport is increasing.”