The youngsters – the first 11-a-side Pelicans team to reach a national final – face three matches over tomorrow and Sunday against teams from Canterbury, Belper and Wakefield.

Team manager Mel Drohan said: "The girls are focused and motivated and want to do well. I think we are more than capable of competing with all of the teams.

"We are seen as the underdogs and will be playing on a water-based Astroturf rather than a sand-based Astroturf.

"The ball is a little bit more bouncy on a water-based surface, but we had a training session on Harleston's water-based Astroturf so the girls will know what to expect.

"We like to play fast-moving hockey and won't be changing our approach for the finals."

Played over a round-robin format, Pelicans will face host side Canterbury in their first match at 10.30am tomorrow.

They will then play Belper, who have dominated the competition in recent seasons, tomorrow afternoon (3.30pm) before taking on Wakefield at 11.30am on Sunday.

The Pelicans team is made up of girls from seven different schools and all but one of the squad have been taught hockey at Pelicans, with some of them being at the club since the age of seven.

After a nail-biting first round match against Harleston Magpies, which Pelicans won 4-3 on penalty flicks following a 2-2 draw, the side have gone from strength-to-strength.

They thrashed Norwich City 14-0 in the second round, before putting ten goals past Dereham in a 10-1 success at the next stage.

In the quarter finals they saw off previous finalists Chelmsford 3-1 before brushing aside Matlock 5-0 in the semi-finals.

Topping the scoring charts for Pelicans are Rachel Drohan with 12 goals and Freya Leserve with eight, while the remainder of the side have all chipped in.

The girls have been busy fundraising, to help provide £800 towards the cost of the trip.

This was raised at the awards day, with two raffles, face painting, apple bobbing and name the teddy, as well as sponsorship from leg waxing.

Thanks to the boys; Marcus Hall, Sam Kent, Shaun Cuthill and Ben Allsop, who now have very smooth legs.

Other sponsors who have kindly made donations for the trip are: Norfolk Property Services, Dodman, Clanpress, Precision Commercial Refrigeration, Kings Lynn Audi, as well as several personal donations.

Brown and Co and the senior club have provided playing shirts and Middleton Aggregates have provided a set of touring shirts for the girls to keep.

There is still room on the coach, leaving today and returning on the Sunday.

If anyone needs transport please contact Mel Drohan on 07801 368011.