Story added: 28th January 2026

Utilita Girls Cup: Tournament fun at The Nest

A lively day of football unfolded on Friday 23rd January as nine Community Club Organisations were welcomed to The Nest for the EFL Utilita U13 Girls Cup area finals, with more than 80 players taking part.  

The Utilita Girls Cup is a national seven‑a‑side tournament for U13 girls, delivered through EFL clubs and their community programmes. It gives young players the chance to represent their school and local club, and for those who progress, the opportunity to play at Wembley before the Vertu Trophy Final. 

The competition involves thousands of children from schools across England and Wales and aims to inspire confidence, teamwork and a love of the game. 

The Nest was selected by the EFL to host this year’s area finals, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere throughout the day. Nine teams were welcomed to the Foundation’s community hub including Watford, Luton and Ipswich.

Lynn Grove Academy, representing Norwich City, came through a run of difficult fixtures to finish second while MK Dons claimed first place. 

Both teams now move on to the Southern Area Finals in Swindon this March, where they will compete for a place in the national final at Wembley. 

“It was a brilliant day with plenty of goals, saves and great teamwork on display,” said Aoife Linehan, Schools Engagement Manager at the Community Sports Foundation. 

“It was amazing to host such a powerful event, seeing so many girls enjoying their football and battling it out for the chance to play at Wembley. 

“We would like to thank all teams for visiting The Nest. Congratulations to Lynn Grove Academy and MK Dons, and we wish you the best of luck in the next stage of the competition.”