Fiji Football Association has pumped up $11,000 thousand dollars for the eleven schools participating in this year’s Vodafone Fiji Secondary Schools Championship in the Girls Division.

Each team will receive cash for their participation.

Fiji Secondary School’s Football Association president Aminesh Ram said this was first time that they had 11 girl’s team.

“I would say this is a history that we have eleven teams in girls division,” Ram said.

He said the championship was growing bigger and better each year.

Last year he said they had only six teams.

“It is good to see more teams coming in this year.”

He said this was possible through the support and commitment from Fiji Football in the development of women’s football from the grassroots.

“Fiji FA has supported us in every way in the development of women’s football and with the second finish by our Vodafone Fiji national Under 19 Women’s team in the OFC Championship has generated interest in many girls to take up football.”

This was a huge achievement as they could see Captain Luisa Tamanitokula scooping the Golden Glove Award and goalkeeper Ateca Tuwai winning the Golden Glove at OFC U-19 Championship.

Ram said most of the players came from the Fiji Secondary Schools Championship and Luisa was also awarded the Golden Boot Award last year.

“Luisa scored 10 goals in last year’s competition and her award in the OFC Championship has boosted more girls to take up football.”

Ram thanked Fiji Football for coming on board and supporting the women’s football in the country.

The pools were drawn last Saturday which saw in Pool A – Xavier College, Savusavu Secondary, Nasinu Secondary, Sigatoka Andra and Kamil College while Pool B has AD Patel College, Vunimono High, All Saints Secondary, Sigatoka Methodist College, Swami Vivekananda College, and Tailevu North College.

The tournament will be played at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori from August 13-16.