Four days before the victorious Lionesses retained the UEFA EURO 2025 title, girls representing professional football clubs across the country travelled to England's training centre at St George's Park for the experience of a lifetime.
They were taking part in this year's Premier League Kicks Cup girls tournament, an event that celebrates the year-round work of Premier League Kicks and highlights how the programme provides opportunities for young females to play the game.
The teams were able to follow in the footsteps of their Lionesses heroes as they wore the kit of their professional football club and took part in fixtures refereed by Premier League, English Football League and Women's Super League match officials.
Here's what those involved made of a very special day.
Bella, Sheffield United
"I felt like I was in a movie coming here today. It's amazing. Being where the Lionesses play is an inspiration for us. On the pitch we know they're an incredible team, but as people outside of football, they have come really far. This is where they became footballers.
"It's really positive to see people from up and down the country. As individuals we gain so much from it, playing against higher-level players and I think that's just going to keep boosting us to do better and be better.
"It puts girls football on the map again. Tournaments like this were full of boys back in the day, now to look around and see these hundreds of girls enjoying football is just fantastic.
"I joined Premier League Kicks as an 11-year-old and now I am a volunteer. At the sessions there's a sense of togetherness and unity. No matter where you're from, who you are, your footballing ability, how shy you are, how confident you are, at Premier League Kicks we're all the same.
"It's made a big difference to me. When I look back at the 11-year-old I was, I was a little bit quiet, maybe a bit scared, a bit reluctant to go and do something new, but I've gained so much confidence, I've gained lifelong friends and the staff are just amazing. I'm really proud that I've come this far.
"I'll take away the positive vibes from across the tournament. If we can carry that into the sessions, we can carry this togetherness, positivity and kindness into everything else, that's just the first step into what can be even more inclusive in the future."
Sophie, Crewe Alexandra
"I'm feeling brilliant because we've won the national final. I really can't believe it. I was really happy to score.
"We won because of this team. Each and every one of us brings something brilliant. Being here has bought us closer. You gain something from winning. There's a belief now.
"It makes me feel like I've got more about myself. My family will be really proud of me.
"When we turned up at St George's Park this morning I felt like I'd finally done something, something I can tell people in the future about.
“The experience has been brilliant, it’s not everyday you get to come to a place like this.
"Everyone should join Premier League Kicks. It brings people together. It has helped me have more confidence in myself."
Merle Redhead Ling, girls and school provision officer, Millwall Community Trust
"Being here is a really good achievement for all the girls taking part. I think this is one of the first tournaments where we have taken them overnight and given them the whole experience of being in such a amazing place where women and men are treated equally.
"The girls were watching the Euros semi-finals on the way up and they were so ecstatic. Then they realise that they are in the place where their idols have walked and where they put in the work. This is the place where the change has happened and that they can now put in the change back at home. It raises their aspirations.
"You can see on their faces and the pictures they've taken, this will provide them with memories that last a lifetime. It's so good for them to know where the end goal is, if they want to continue playing football, this is where they could possibly end up.
"Premier League Kicks and tournaments like this gives them a sense of purpose, a sense of why they do it. It shows them what they are capable of. Being around other girls from across the country gives them not only targets on and off the pitch, it gives them a football family.
"Watching them here today, I feel pride. It's amazing knowing that I've coached some of these girls since they were 10. I'm with them every Wednesday and they have come so far just to represent themselves, represent Millwall, represent women in general for Premier League Kicks especially."
Nicole, Mansfield Town
"I love this opportunity, I love how far women's football has come and how diverse it is here. It's crazy. Seeing this many clubs and players makes me feel really good. It really promotes girls football.
"It's unbelievable to play on the same pitches as the England players, just knowing that they've been here and we have been in their presence, it makes me think I have a bright future and makes me aim for more.
"My brother took part in Premier League Kicks when we were younger but there weren't many girls so I didn't really feel up to it. But more girls started to attend so I built up the confidence to go
"In Premier League Kicks there's so much support and just knowing that the coaches are always there to help is amazing. They do exercises to develop skills and it gives me confidence in myself and how I play. It just makes me feel good.
"The programme means somewhere I can feel safe, be with my friends and have a good time."
Aleeza, Nottingham Forest
"Being at St George's Park and playing on the same pitch as the England stars is an unreal experience. I'm so grateful.
"Knowing that this is where they train gives me such motivation. If they can do it and play here and I'm playing here now, maybe one day I could be in the same position as them. That would just be an amazing thing to do.
"When I see so many people from around the country playing here, I feel proud and so relieved as well that there's other girls that want to experience it. I hope other people see this and see that the girls are serious too.
"There's so much talent here and it's an amazing thing to be able to be part of.
"At Premier League Kicks, all the girls and all of the coaches are so inclusive and welcoming. They just want you to enjoy yourself. They make every session fun.
"I will honestly treasure this moment for the rest of my life. It's indescribable. Not everyone gets to do it, and if you do, you're so lucky."
Erin, Southampton
"This is probably one of the best experiences I've ever had. It's great opportunity to play where some of my biggest idols have played. It's not even about the win, it's about the experience of being here.
"I've been with Premier League Kicks for so many years now. They're such a big inspiration to me and they mean everything. I've got my own Kicks family now.
"It's helped me develop as a person and a player. On and off the pitch, they've built my confidence in every single way possible I think. If you ask me two years ago, I wouldn't be here doing an interview. The impact that this has on people across the country is incredible and it definitely needs more recognition.
"Southampton is my home club. It's where I've grown up and all the people there are amazing. I've got brilliant support and I think being out here with my friends representing the club that I love is incredible.
"The Lionesses were what made me fall in love with football in the first place. They're the reason why I still play to this day. They're an amazing group of people and they definitely inspire me to achieve my goals and go as far as I can."
Harmony-Rose, Crystal Palace
"It's a really great opportunity to be here. Seeing the number of people makes me feel like women's football is definitely on the rise and makes me feel happy that there's so many girls getting an opportunity to play football.
"I've been with Premier League Kicks for five years. I was really bad at first. I couldn't kick the ball straight. I continued going and I got better. Now I'm one of the oldest there and I'm helping other people come in.
"I was nervous that first time but I soon realised that everyone was really friendly and welcoming. All of the coaches were so accommodating. It was a place where you speak freely.
"I wasn't really that confident but this gave me the ability to speak to people. Having confidence helps you play. If you think you can do it, there's a higher chance you can do it. I am very proud of myself that I have changed. I'm really thankful to Premier League Kicks for bringing me up in this way.
"To me, Premier League Kicks is a community. It's like a whole other bubble, a whole other world."
Amelia, Colchester United
"Stepping on these pitches is so nice. When we pulled up we were excited and a little nervous because it looks so posh and fancy!
"The Lionesses are so inspiring... that's what I want to be when I am older. Colchester United and Premier League Kicks has given me the opportunity to do that. It's helped grow my confidence and the way I play.
"I have been with Premier League Kicks for about a year. They include me a lot in the games and they help me a lot with what I need to do. They are always supporting me.
"I have changed a lot in that time and it makes me so happy that I have. I was very shy and just kept myself to myself. I wouldn't even speak to my own team because that's how shy I was. I didn't think I would be this confident.
"For girls football this is a really big event. It's special to come to such a big thing for girls football. I don't think this would have happened a few years ago."
Sean Nyamudandara, Premier League Kicks co-ordinator, Leeds United Foundation
"It's amazing to be at St George's Park. The team are all fans of the Lionesses so just rolling in and seeing the sign was massive for them. Being here will motivate them to get where they want to be. This opens up doors for them.
"I coach women's football, it's something I'm very passionate about. The women's game now is getting so much bigger and having so many girls together and have them taking part in football will take it forward even more.
"Playing on the same pitches as the likes of Beth Mead and Marcus Rashford will really open their minds in terms of what they can do, especially in sport. They see all the roles that everyone does in and out of the Premier League, coaches, referees, event managers.
"Today we've opened their minds to new possibilities about football, we've given them an experience that some people would only wish for in their lifetime. Hopefully it will give them a new mindset that they can do whatever they want after today.
"Our players are a good bunch, they're just happy to have the chance to enjoy what they do. They're from a similar area to where I grew up in Harehills in Leeds. It's a low socio economic area, it has its barriers. When I was there, it was hard to travel around and get to games.
"When I took the job my number one aim was to be the biggest role model I possibly could be. I knew what it's like growing up that area, what it's like to have those challenges and barriers. So for me, the number one thing is, can I give them that opportunity that I would have obviously loved when I was younger."
Gracie, Salford City
"I joined Premier League Kicks at the start of last season. It's fun. It's engaging. I've got so many mates there.
"The coaches are so nice and so respectful. I feel that it's rubbing off on me. I'm a lot kinder, a lot nicer, a lot more respectful because they're showing respect to me. It's a really good programme because it's so inclusive, everyone's welcome.
"It is so important to have opportunities like this for girls football. Sometimes you get mocked a lot for being a girl footballer so events like this really raises awareness so more girls will get involved.
"I have never done anything like playing at St George's Park before. It's so big! With all the players that have been here, I'm so excited. I didn't think I was that good to play here but maybe I am!"
What is Premier League Kicks?
Funded by the Premier League through the Premier League Charitable Fund, Premier League Kicks uses the power of football and sport to inspire young people to reach their potential, in some of the most high-need areas in England and Wales.
More than half a million people have benefited to date.