Last Wednesday saw Rush Croft School from Waltham Forest win Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme's (LOCSP) Waltham Forest Girls Knockout Cup Challenge 2008.

In chilly conditions on the Astroturf at Score, Rush Croft beat Leytonstone School 7-2 in normal time to take the honours, although the match was closer than the score suggested.

Charlotte, 14, was a constant thorn in the side of Leytonstone with her link-up play and was one of the major differences between the two sides.

"I scored two goals today and it was fun. We all played together as a team and backed each other up," she explained.

"When I play in match like this I can take out all my anger on the ball. The coaches understand what we want and we are all looking forward to going on to compete in the inter-borough tournament."

Team-mate Tyler, 13, echoed Charlotte's thoughts.

"We all stuck together and the teachers trained us well," she explained. "We got here by qualifying through a league and today everyone played very well and put in as much effort as they could."

For their proud coaches looking on the day was a great success.

"They are all very passionate about football and are always in the Sports Hall kicking the football about," explained Miss Webb, PE Technician at Rush Croft School.

"They like to prove to the boys that they can actually win something and the trophy they have won today will be displayed in the cabinet at school alongside the boys' trophies."

The tournament victory ensures that the girls will go on to represent Waltham Forest in the inter-borough tournament later on this year and may inspire some players to take it further a field.

"We are here to encourage the girls to participate more in sport at the grassroots and football is a really good way of doing it," explained Mrs. Reid, PE Teacher at Rush Croft. "This victory will definitely inspire the other girls at school to get involved with sport and it is a big boost for us."

"The location of LOCSP gives us easy access to their fantastic facilities and grassroots programmes. Winning things like this shows our girls the path of progression and the options they have available to them."

LOCSP run football sessions for girls at Score, Rush Croft School and Mile End Stadium on Mondays and Roding Valley on Thursdays.

For more information, please contact Giles Sandercock, Girls and Women's Football Development Officer, LOCSP on 020 8556 5973 or email enquiries@locsp.org