A YORK ladies sports team that made it to the FA Cup and brought £10,000 of prize money to the club it represents has won a community award.

York RI Ladies Football team won the Sports Person / Team of the Year award, sponsored by IQ Engineers, in the York Community Pride Awards 2024.

Manager Dean Cairns and coach Kira Lewis, the former York City Ladies full back, have taken York RI Ladies to the FA Cup and gained league promotion in the same season.

At the same time, the women’s team prize money for going so far in the cup competition has been used for new facilities and necessities at the wider football club which plays its matches in New Lane, Holgate.

The performance and commitment of the ladies team in fulfilling and fiercely competing in league fixtures that were piling up due to the FA Cup run has boosted the internal promotion of the team too.

Receiving the award on behalf of the York RI Ladies were team members Anna Whitehead and Lily Ashworth.

Of the inspiration they have brought to the club’s youngsters, Anna said: “We obviously had those dreams that the youngsters have, and with the success of the Lionesses, that’s still really our dream as well.”

Lily said: “York’s full of women’s football teams, which is absolutely great, so for anyone wanting to join a club, go for it.

“Getting as far as we did in the FA Cup was quite inspirational as grassroots teams typically don’t get that far.

“It brought money in that’s been able to help the rest of the club – the younger kids have been able to get more access to pitches and facilities.”

Earlier this year, club volunteers said that over 150 girls were taking part in junior football at York RI and their ‘horizons have been lifted by the team, and are seen as heroes by those coming up through the ranks.'

Dean said there were 16-year-olds knocking on his door to play who have been involved at the Holgate club since the age of nine.