The Premier League Football trophy will be presented at The Roche School, Wandsworth, Friday 8th June 2018, at a special assembly celebrating the achievements of female
footballers and the efforts of one of the school’s staff in promoting footballing skills for young girls.
Sport teacher Allana Francis-Ashmeil established the Ace Development Academy in October last year as an all-inclusive and affordable academy for girls to develop their football skills.
“I had a trial at 14 years old for the Chelsea Women’s Football Academy and I was accepted, but it was very expensive and coming from a single parent background I couldn’t afford to
sign up and I missed the opportunity,” recalls Ashmeil. “I never gave up though and continued playing football at school and when I was 17 years old I was signed by QPR.”
Ashmeil, who just ended the season at AFC Wimbledon with a 5-0 victory over Colne Valley in the Capital Women’s Intermediate Cup Final, says that she drew on her early
disappointment to make her more determined to establish an accessible female football academy.
“I thought that there must be other players out there in my situation who can play but can’t afford what the academies are asking, so I said to myself that if I ever get into the
position to start my own academy I would always make it affordable,” says Ashmeil. “The ethos is that any girl can join. We have players who play for clubs, those that just play for
fun and those who have never played before. It is all about developing their skills, confidence and leadership qualities. These are valuable life skills that these girls can take on
into any career.”
Ashmeil says that she was also inspired to start her academy by the non-gender bias policy of The Roche School where she has worked for the past two years. “We were one of the first
schools in our area to introduce a non-gender bias policy for sports,” says Peter Clark, Head of Sport at The Roche School. “Allana is an absolute legend and an inspiration to the
students at our school. She is so talented and her example is positive and encouraging, it helps to build the girls confidence.”
To tie-in with the presentation of the Premier League Trophy, Ashmeil’s Ace Development Academy is being presented with a sponsorship by The Roche School which will go towards
buying much needed kit and equipment. Vania Adams, Headmistress at The Roche School endorses Allana’s achievements both at the school and with her academy. “Equal
opportunities means lifting the restrictions that hold girls back whether academically or on the playing field. If schools take a proactive stance – as we have done – they will see the
confidence of their pupils begin to soar.”
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