Huge well done to students Lily, Eden, Hollie-Ann and Caitlyn who have been on a whirlwind adventure after winning the semi-finals of the Premier League Enterprise Challenge which has encouraged young people from across the country to come up with enterprise ideas.
Before Christmas, the girls won the regional heat after coming up with a fantastic idea to increase the fan base and income from the USA for Sunderland Football Club and presenting this to a large audience confidently. This win allowed them to progress to the semi-finals hosted at Stoke City on Thursday 26 January.
After weeks spent perfecting their presentation and business plan with Chris Towers from the Foundation of Light, the girls were finally ready for the semi-finals. When the girls arrived in Stoke, they were greeted by a number of officials including representatives from the Premier League and Sports Relief. The girls were shown to their own executive box and given time to practice their presentation. Journalist Kim Inglis was there to watch the girls and offer them some final feedback.
Finally, the time came for the girls to deliver their presentation. Although they were nervous at first, as soon as the presentation started they felt confident; they believed they could win. Mrs Graham said: "The girls were completely professional throughout their presentation - I couldn't have been prouder of them."
The girls were up against four other groups: Watford, Leicester, Swansea and Stoke, each of whom performed very well. After a wait that felt like forever, the results were announced and the girls were absolutely ecstatic to find out that they had won.
The competition has seen the girls develop their communication skills, their ability to work in a team and their organisational skills as well as forming a strong friendship with each other. The girls will travel to London on the 19 March for a rewards day and will attend the final on the 20 March - good luck!
We would like to say a huge thank you to Chris Hooker, Jas Singh and Chris Towers for their hard work and dedication and the girls would also like to say a big thank you to Mrs Graham and Mrs Peele for their support.