Students at a Birmingham school enjoyed an assembly with a special twist on Monday as they helped play a starring role in the third round of the SSE Women’s FA Cup.

Park Hall Academy in Water Orton Road, Castle Bromwich, played host to the draw, with Birmingham City Ladies stars Ellen White and Hayley Ladd on hand to help.

Two students got the unique honour of drawing the balls from the iconic red velvet bag, with the fate of 24 teams decided ahead of the next round of fixtures on January 7.

White and Ladd also took questions from a packed student audience, posed for photographs and coached a training session with Year 7 and 8 girls football teams, with other lucky students also taking part.

Football-mad Year 12 students Felicity Barnes and Millie Hall, both of whom coach junior girls’ teams at Park Hall, were chosen to draw the numbered balls and they acknowledged playing a part in the draw was an experience which would stay with them forever.

Shard End’s Millie, 16, said: “It was a really exciting opportunity and we’ve really enjoyed it. It was quite nerve-racking, there was a bit of pressure but I loved it.

“It’s really inspiring to have met two ladies who play professionally that we can look up to. The whole experience was such a highlight, it’s something I’ll never forget and something I can always look back on.

“I look up to Hayley and Ellen a lot because women’s football is quite hard to get into and challenging to be at the top as a professional, it’s really inspiring to have met people who have done that.”

England international White, 28, who has two SSE Women’s FA Cup winner’s medals in her trophy cabinet, admitted the reaction and enthusiasm she was met with on the day was striking.

“It’s great to expose the kids to the SSE Women’s FA Cup,” said White, who has 68 caps and 24 goals for the Lionesses. “There are a few teams around here in Birmingham and it’s exciting for the kids to see the live draw, which would not have happened a good few years ago.

“Sometimes the kids are a bit quiet but they asked some really cool questions and it was great to see so many put their hands up and wanting to know about what’s like to be a footballer.”

With the help of education charity Teach First, staff at Park Hall worked with the FA to stage the draw in the school’s assembly hall before White and Ladd pitted their wits against some of the school’s talented young female players.

“We’re still buzzing,” said senior deputy head Toby Close. “It’s an absolute honour and wonderful to see the students’ excitement on their faces. There was such an outburst of enthusiasm.

“We’re massive football fans in this part of Birmingham and sport is huge here at Park Hall Academy.

“It’s nice to have able to work with Teach First in order to bring the draw here too. The day’s been brilliant, what an amazing opportunity.

“Even if just a handful of students pick up a ball and start kicking it about, if they haven’t before then that will be a huge leap forward.”

Tickets are now on sale for the SSE Women’s FA Cup Final on Saturday 5th May at Wembley Stadium connected by EE. For more information about tickets and what SSE do for women’s football, visit www.sponsorship.sse.com.