A NEW girls football team inspired by the Lionesses national side are looking to find other teams to play matches against.

Southend-based East 15 Sirens was set up in October last year following the England women’s team’s historic victory at the European Championships.

East 15 Acting School second-year student Élise Black formed The Sirens, and the team played their first match in May.

But the side is not part of a league and are finding it hard to arrange matches so the girls can play.

Élise said: “Before I return for my third and final year at East 15, I want to get as much set up for the Sirens as I can.

“Our biggest challenge now is setting up matches. We currently have none planned and without being part of a league, fixtures are hard to arrange.

“I have reached out to clubs, teams, leagues and players in Essex and beyond, but sadly I’ve had no response.

“The Sirens would appreciate contact from any senior girls’ team in the area who would be willing to set up a game.”

Élise believes the side are the first women’s football team created at a drama school in the UK.

She added: “As someone that played a lot of team sport at school, I was pessimistic about my chances of this continuing at drama school.

“However, I soon discovered the Drama School Football League. I felt excited about the opportunity of being involved but quickly realised it was just boys’ teams that were playing in the league.”

After slowly growing in numbers, The Sirens played their very first match on May 21 against Reading University.

Despite the match ending 6-3 to Reading, the team rejoiced at playing their first football game.

Élise said: “We relished every second and the opportunity to finally play a competitive game was a huge win for us.

“If I had been told that by the end of second year, we’d have a full squad of players who actually wanted to play football and enjoyed it, I would not have believed it.”

East 15 Sirens are active on Instagram @east15sirens and can be emailed on elise.g.black@gmail.com