THE FA's Girls Football 2001 initiative in the North West has had a helping hand from Blackpool's Montgomery High School.

The school organised a Girls Euro 2001 football mini-tournament to coincide with, and mirror, the England Women's participation in the European Championships in Germany which runs from June 23 to July 7.

The Blackpool tournament, which took place on Tuesday, June 26, was one of a series of local events taking place across the country as part of Girls Football 2001 between June 16 and July 8. More than 70 girls from eight schools in Blackpool took part in the five-a-side matches, with each school playing the part of a Women's Euro 2001 participating country, choosing from England, Russia, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Norway or France. The girls were encouraged to research information on their chosen country and even dress in the country's colours for the tournament.

As Montgomery is a language school they were taught football songs in their country's native language and ate themed foot from the different countries on the night of the event. The girls taking part were all 9-11 years old.

Paul Morton, head of PE at Montgomery High School said: "Women's football is officially the fastest growing sport in the country. The FA aims to establish a professional women's football league by 2003, and for women's football to become the top female sport by 2004. With girls taking part in this tournament from all over Blackpool, we hope that Girls Football 2001 will encourage even more girls to become involved in the game."