A review of Mourant Girls Academy football successes in 2026
At the beginning of 2026, we reconfirmed our support of the Mourant Girls Academy, part of the wider Guernsey Football Association (GFA), for a sixth consecutive year.
The Mourant Girls Academy continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of women’s football for girls on the island, providing young players with opportunities to develop both as athletes and as individuals.
Through the Academy, girls build valuable transferable skills including self-discipline, confidence, resilience, teamwork, communication and leadership, supported by positive role models who inspire them to pursue their goals both on and off the pitch.
At the heart of the Academy is a commitment to creating a clear pathway into the women’s game from as young as eight.
A successful 2026 season
Across this year’s exciting season, Academy players gained invaluable experience through a range of competitive fixtures and development opportunities.
Muratti Vase Final
This season provided further evidence of the Academy’s impact, with 11 of the 16 players selected for the Guernsey Women’s Muratti Vase squad having progressed through the Girls Academy pathway.
Five players made their Muratti debuts, including 16-year-olds Ruby Smith and Alana Hockey, highlighting the strength of the talent pipeline being developed.
Although Guernsey were defeated by Jersey in the final, the emergence of several young players demonstrated the exciting future of the women’s game on the island.
Cherry Godfrey Cup 2026
The senior squad further demonstrated the strength of Guernsey women’s football during the Cherry Godfrey Cup at Victoria Park.
While results did not fall in Guernsey’s favour in the semifinal, the team responded with an excellent 5-1 victory over the Isle of Wight to claim the bronze medal.
The tournament even made the BBC news, which ran a story of triplets Emilie, Hollie and Millie Jeffreys who all made their debuts for Guernsey in this year’s Cherry Godfrey Cup, making them the first triplets ever to play for the island.
Jersey Bulls
On Saturday 21 March, the Jersey Bulls were welcomed to Victoria Park for fixtures against the Under 13/14 and Under 11/12 Mourant Girls Academy squads. The day resulted in one win for Guernsey and one for Jersey, with some excellent skills on display.
The Mourant Girls Academy Manager reflected on the day:
“I’m very proud of how the girls showcased their talent. Both teams demonstrated great desire, work rate, resilience, and attitude, which reflects how hard they’ve trained in the lead up to these fixtures. We’re thankful to Jersey Bulls for making the journey to Guernsey and are looking forward to facing them again next season.”
Claygate
The Academy’s first ever trip to England also marked a significant milestone, with the Under 11/12 and Under 15/16 squads facing Claygate Royals FC.
The visit provided players with the chance to test themselves against new opposition, with the older age group securing an impressive 6-2 victory and the younger team producing strong performances that highlighted their continued development.
Jersey Wanderers
The final trip of the 2025/26 Mourant Girls Academy season saw the Under 9/10s and Under 13/14s travel to Jersey for the annual Jersey Wanderers Girls Football Festival.
Excitement was high at the airport, particularly for the younger group, who were travelling for fixtures and experiencing matches against all-girls teams for the first time. The older group, having attended in 2023 and 2024, returned with great memories and were eager to compete again.
The Under 9/10s reached the final after an outstanding tournament, eventually finishing as runners up after a penalty shootout. The Under 13/14s also impressed, securing a third-place finish against strong opposition from across the Channel Islands and France.
As the season draws to a close, the success of the Mourant Girls Academy can be seen not only in results and performances, but in the growing number of young players progressing through the pathway and into senior football.
Our firm’s continued support has helped create opportunities for girls across the island to develop their talent, build important life skills and reach their potential.
Congratulations to all players on a successful season!
