Brighton and Hove District Schools Under-11 girls have been crowned national champions.

It is a first national cup win by the primary schools’ district under-11 team, boys or girls.

Brighton have only been running an under-11 girls squad for six years so it is regarded as a magnificent achievement. There were also first successes in the Kent Cup and the North & West Kent League.

Brighton are the only under-11 district team in Sussex so have to play in Kent.

In both finals, Brighton girls went a goal down but came back to win. They had a 2-1 success over West Kent in the Kent Cup final at Maidstone with goals from Yasmin House.

The national final versus Bootle finished 1-1, Jess Reed scoring, before Brighton won 2-1 on penalties (Jess Reed and Bea Wright netting).

Goalkeeper Hattie Dawson saved two penalties to secure the trophy at the Bet365 Stadium, home of Stoke City.

The girls’ greatest strengths are their resilience and teamwork.

As a squad, they have huge belief and refuse to give in.