THREE Winchester City Flyers youth squad players have been selected to represent the Hampshire Schools team at two different age levels.

Tiree, from the Flyers under-14 Hawks, and Scarlett and Pippa, both from Flyers under-16 Ravens, were among 80 girls trialling at each age range from schools across the county, writes Gary Marsh.

All three attend Winchester schools - Tiree and Pippa both represent Westgate School, with Scarlett representing Kings’.

Under-14s Hawks Manager Alan Paterson said: “To have three girls from our club representing Hampshire Schools is an outstanding achievement. And seeing so many girls on a Saturday playing competitively and making the strides they are across the entire club is hugely encouraging.

“The girls all actively support each other and this is felt all the way through the 20 youth teams, from under-8s to under-18s, up to the three ladies squads.

“The future of women’s football at grass roots and beyond is a very exciting and bright place to be”.

Tony Panteli, manager of the Flyers Ladies first team described his pleasure at the news: “We’re all part of the Flyers family here and I know that all our ladies are excited for the three girls.

“Having done the hard yards through the junior teams themselves they’ll know that the youngsters coming through will keep them honest and they know that’s a good thing.”

The Hampshire Schools teams will be training once Covid restrictions allow, ready to play teams from other counties such as Wiltshire and Oxfordshire, among others.

Winchester City Flyers Hawks’ Alan spoke about the impact of sharing players with the County sides.

He said: “The girls and coaches have a great time developing the players and teams.

“There’s always space for more. As girls move on, up or sideways we’re always ready for fresh potential.”

For more information about the Flyers contact winchesterflyers@gmail.com.

n The Chandler's Ford chess tournament was won jointly by Phil Overton and Peter Przybycin with both players obtaining 4.5 points from five games, drawing each other and winning their other four games. Overton won last year's championship after winning a four player playoff which also included Przybycin.

This year the two joint winners were the only two players to score more than three points and remain unbeaten.

Every week the Chandlers Ford chess club organises a weekly tournament with all the games being played online and this has attracted former players as well as current members with one of the players this week living in New Zealand and another in Belgium.