It’s the event that many of us have been waiting for. The National League Trust’s Under 11s Cup Finals takes place this Saturday at Wembley Stadium ahead of the National League Promotion Final between Chesterfield and Notts County. A competition for school teams, this the fifth time it’s been played.
It’s been a competitive and exhilarating journey for everyone who has taken part in the competition this year. In the autumn term 50 National League clubs held their own tournaments with local primary schools competing to be their representatives in either the Mixed/Boys or Girls category. Almost 1,000 schools took part in those events at clubs from Blyth Spartans to Torquay United, Wrexham to King’s Lynn and all points in between. This means more than 7,500 children have been involved.
Dartford beat St Albans in the South Final
The teams then played in six regional tournaments across the country, with the winners and runners up in each one going through to the next stage. There were some notable success stories along the way: Dorridge Primary representing Solihull Moors won the Midlands mixed event and were runners-up in the girls. The schools representing Chester – Boughton Heath Academy and Upton Heath Primary School – both won the events at the North West Regional with AFC Fylde’s Ansdell Primary and Kirkham Grammar School finishing runners up in the same tournament.
Maidstone celebrate after winning in extra time
The teams then went on to represent their clubs in the North and South finals. Held at Slough Town FC, the South Final took place in blustery conditions with both competitions very close. The Mixed Final saw Dartford (Joydens Wood Junior School) beat St Albans (Garden Fields JMI) 2-0.
The Girls Final was closer, with extra time needed to separate Maidstone United (Palace Wood Primary School) and Southend United (Rayleigh Primary School).
Maidstone United (bibs) and Southend United in action
The North Finals were hosted by the Chesterfield Community Foundation at Staveley Miners Welfare FC. The day started in heavy rain which gradually subsided and gave way to sunshine. Competition was again tight: penalties were needed to settle the Girls’ semi final between Scarborough Athletic and Chester. Solihull Moors continued to impress, reaching both the Girls and Mixed finals. The Girls Final also needed extra time and a penalty save from the Scarborough keeper, before they were 2-1 winners.
The Mixed North Final saw two strong teams with Solihull taking on Scunthorpe United. They had been the tournament’s top scorers with eight goals across all games. Scunthorpe won the close tie 1-0.
The North Final between Scunthorpe United and Solihull Moors
Kent and the North East clearly have high standards of primary school football, as can be seen from the line-up for the two finals.
Saturdays games will be :
Kick-off 1.30pm: Scarborough Athletic v Maidstone United (girls)
and
Kick off 1.45pm: Dartford v Scunthorpe United (mixed/boys)
Scarborough are represented by Seamer and Irton Community Primary School, a two form entry local village primary school on the North East coast near Scarborough. They have reached County level finals in several sports in the past. This April they were one of the four national finalists in the TTE Butterfly National Schools’ Table Tennis Championship. They say that they love sport at the school, and celebrate all pupils’ achievements at every level. Sport enables pupils to learn confidence, perseverance, team spirit, positive competitiveness and organisation. It is is an integral part of school practices allowing all pupils to gain a sense of achievement and develop positive attitudes towards themselves and others. Pupils are offered the opportunity to develop further through a wide range of extra-curricular activities and competitive inter school competitions. Every child has had the opportunity to represent the school by the time they leave.
Palace Wood Primary is a two form entry school in Allington, just outside Maidstone. They work closely with Kent School Games to promote sport for all at the school. Reaching the final has been a triumph for the girls. The team formed at the beginning of 2023 with a small after school club for girls. They responded well to coaching opportunities and it has brought them on as individuals and as a team. Their confidence has rocketed and they are the celebrities of the school!
Maidstone victorious
They are now training with the school’s football coach, Ted Smith and coaches from Maidstone United’s Stones Community Trust, to prepare for the biggest event in the school’s history. They have been backing the girls from the start with regular updates in assembly for the whole school to cheer them on, the buzz of excitement is felt throughout the school. Parents have been at every tournament, and have gone out of their way to take time off work, transport the girls to games and training sessions. The team were invited to parade round the pitch at a recent Maidstone United game where their success in getting to the Wembley final was announced.
Dartford lift the South trophy
Dartford’s school is Joydens Wood Junior, a three form entry school in a small residential estate on the boundaries of Dartford, Bexley and Swanley. Due to its location the area has a strong affinity with its community and the many local sporting clubs. The school was built in the 1950’s and has recently joined the Nexus Education School Trust. This year has been a successful one: they have also have reached the Kent School South-East County Finals and are top of the local school league table. They won the Dartford District Schools Annual Tournament and are in the finals of the Dartford Schools FA Cup.
When asked about sport within the school their Head of PE, Luke Graham, said “PE is an important leveller within the school and allows children who are less academic to shine in a wide range of sports from the traditional football and rugby to others such as bench ball and dodgeball. Very few activities within school life are as capable of producing endorphins to boost their mental well-being as good exercise and competitive events.”
They also said that the children in this team were the most affected during COVID. The transition from the Infant to Junior school was interrupted despite the best intentions of the teaching staff. Some children suffered from anxiety during this period, due to the restriction in playing sport across district borders. The difference in behaviour and attainment since the restart of sporting events is marked – this really show how important it is to the children.
Scunthorpe United are represented by Messingham Primary School, a village school with Values-based Education at it’s core. They work with their community to provide opportunities for children so that they can thrive . Recently they have developed more sporting activity and have taken part in cheerleading competitions, gym and dance displays and have football teams from in local tournaments. Their parents and community are extremely supportive of the school and its staff and will travel to Wembley in large numbers for the game.
Scunthorpe lift the North trophy
Their Headteacher, Rob Hutchings said: “This has been an incredible achievement and as Headteacher I am indebted to the parent volunteers, Matt and Paul, who took the team on. Last September there was no team! Since that time, they have continued to develop Messingham’s core values and have shown resilience, determination, teamwork, fortitude and most importantly, kindness. This value has not only been to themselves, but also to others along the journey; this is a real testament to the parents, community and village of Messingham that they represent. I am
certain that the impact that this team has had will inspire future generations of children through our school. It has also given them the chance to be the ‘best version of themselves’, not just for now but hopefully in the future as well.”
Referees Millie Kyriakides and Jake Martin have been appointed by the Middlesex FA
After the final whistle blows, all four teams will make their way to the Royal Box to collect their trophies for winning the competition and as runners-up.
Good luck to the four teams taking part and congratulations for reaching the Finals.
You can follow us on Twitter at @TheNLTrust for live updates on the matches. Please Tweet us your Good Luck messages to the teams and we will make sure to retweet them.
