Norwich High School for Girls is now the proud sponsor of Mr Harry Barker, who plays for Wroxham Football Club. Mr Barker is a Year 6 teacher in our Prep School and is excited for the opportunity to develop this collaboration between Norwich High and Wroxham FC.

Mr Barker has a strong background in football. He signed for Norwich City FC at the age of 10 and was awarded a scholarship there at 16 years old. Having played for the Canaries’ youth and reserve teams, he was awarded a professional contract at the club. However, an ankle injury prompted him to reassess where his career was going.

“I coached at Norwich City whilst I was injured,” said Mr Barker. “I loved working with the young players and enjoyed the responsibility that comes with coaching. That sparked my desire to train as a teacher. The club supported me to study at UEA, first for a degree in Physical Education and then for a PGCE.”

Wroxham FC is a semi-professional football club based at Trafford Park. Mr Barker and his teammates train twice a week, playing fixtures on Saturdays and Tuesday evenings. After playing for a number of local teams including Norwich United and Lowestoft Town, Mr Barker is really enjoying being with his new club. He said: “Wroxham FC is a great place to be. The atmosphere on match days is phenomenal and it has been great to play in front of some really good crowds.”

Mr Barker said: “I’m very grateful to Norwich High School for Girls for sponsoring me. The Prep School girls at Norwich High will benefit from the partnership as they will be invited to be ball girls at some Wroxham FC Womens’ matches later this year.

“I’m hoping to build the links between school and club so that our girls can get more involved in local football. It is not always easy to signpost girls to local clubs, but now we are developing a partnership with a football club that has many different age group teams, which will provide opportunities for Norwich High girls of all ages.”

Mr Barker has inspired a love of football in his students at Norwich High School for Girls Prep School. For the last few years, a large number of girls at Norwich High have participated in the Football Club, and it has been encouraging to see the popularity of the club develop.

Teams from Norwich High School for Girls participate in the Autumn League and the Autumn League Cup. They also compete in the GDST Football Tournament. Last year, Mr Barker was thrilled that the Norwich High team reached the quarter finals.

The Football Club isn’t just about winning, however.

Mr Barker is also running The Footy Squad, which is a free indoor football club for girls in Years 3 and 4 from around the Norfolk region. The Footy Squad trains from 5-6pm every Wednesday in the Norwich High School for Girls Sports Hall.

If your daughter is interested in joining please contact admin@nor.gdst.net for more details.

Mr Barker has noticed a difference in the interest for football since the Lionesses’ victory in the Euros earlier this year. “We used to hear the students pretending to be Harry Kane or Ronaldo, but now they’re taking turns to be Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp or Beth Mead. It marks a new era for the women’s game in England and I’m going to make sure that girls at Norwich High get to experience all the good things that football has to offer.”