Hale primary win the ESFA Danone Nations Cup…
The players from Hale Primary School claimed the title of ESFA Danone Nations Cup U11 Small Schools National Champions back in May, following the National Finals held at Ricoh Arena in Coventry. The team, who had already been successful throughout the District, County and Regional rounds of the competition, had the chance to experience playing and indeed, winning on a fantastic stadium set up in May as the National Finals took centre stage at the Ricoh Arena.
The team will now get the chance to celebrate their win, Premier League style, having been awarded a fantastic match day experience at Southampton FC this Saturday 27 October, for Southampton’s home match against Newcastle. The players will experience a day in Southampton’s new Matchday Bistro hospitality lounge. This experience will consist of a tour or the stadium, unparalleled insight into the club with talks from coaches and nutritionists, a 2-course meal, gifts for the children as mementos and not forgetting, the opportunity to enjoy all the match day atmosphere of a Saints fixture!
For Hale School, the test of becoming National Champions was no small feat! The small school, that consists of only 15 pupils per year group, were triumphant in their success, particularly in view of them not having a school field but instead training for their fixtures on a green which was shared with ponies and cattle. Despite this, the team succeeded in overcoming its challenges, and challengers, making their way to the final round of the National Cup and winning!
The Danone Nations Cup is the world’s biggest international football tournament for 10-12 year olds , with 32 countries participating every year. The ESFA Danone Nations Cup competition is the England leg of this competition, providing competitions for schools, small schools, district and girls teams to get involved in.
The ESFA and Danone would like to wish Hale Primary school winners a truly memorable day, celebrating their success and give special thanks to Southampton FC for providing the team with this fantastic and unique opportunity.
