Sponsors and Partners – Page 5 – English Schools' Football Association

The English Schools’ Football Association (ESFA) is delighted to announce Arnold Clark as the new sponsors of all U16 – U18 National Schools’ Cup competitions from September 2023.

This new partnership will see Arnold Clark sponsor 10 ESFA Cup competitions, with the brand supporting thousands of schools’ football players on their journey to become National Champions in 2024 onwards. The Arnold Clark Schools’ Cup title will cover all U16 – U18 Schools’ Cup competitions, including three girls’ competitions. Almost 1,800 teams are currently entered into these competitions for the 23/24 season and it seems likely that the ESFA will reach, if not surpass, entry figures from 22/23, which was the biggest season in schools’ football history.

The new sponsorship from Arnold Clark will continue to help grow the recognition of the competitions across England, provide the ESFA with a new partnership to promote and branding to elevate these National Cups to a new level. The ESFA’s U16 – U18 Schools’ Cup and Super League competitions have been a platform on which a consistently high level of footballing activity, for thousands of teenagers in England each year, has been showcased and the Association is keen to now align this activity with Arnold Clark from 2023 onwards.

Marvin Robinson, ESFA Chair said: “The English Schools’ Football Association is excited to embark on this exciting journey with Arnold Clark as our partners. This new sponsorship is a testament to our commitment to nurturing young talent and promoting “˜the beautiful game’ in schools across England. As we kick off the 2023/24 season with Arnold Clark’s support, we anticipate unparalleled growth and success for our U16 – U18 National Schools’ Cup competitions. Together, we are poised to inspire and empower the next generation of National Champions, and we couldn’t be more delighted about the potential this partnership holds for the future of schools’ football in our country.“

Eddie Hawthorne, Arnold Clark Chief Executive and Group Managing Director, said: “˜We are very proud to announce this sponsorship with the English Schools’ Football Association. At Arnold Clark, we strongly believe in thinking beyond our company and giving back to the communities we serve and support, and football is something that brings the whole community together. We’re delighted to have this opportunity to sponsor this year’s National Cup competitions and look forward to watching the game’s future stars in action.’

Arnold Clark is Europe’s largest independent, family-run car company, selling almost 300,000 cars a year, with over 200 locations across the UK. With over 60 years’ experience in the industry, the Group provides customers with unbeatable choice and value, with over 20,000 used cars, new cars, nearly new cars, new vans and used vans in stock at any one time.

Arnold Clark also looks after all car-related needs, including servicing, MOT inspections, accident repairs, car rental and car insurance, giving customers the complete driving package.

Furthermore, there is a fleet division and leading training facilities, while the company continues to lead the way in the automotive industry’s transition to electric with its Innovation Centres in Glasgow and Stafford.

Draws for the 10 Arnold Clark Schools’ Cup competitions are available to view online via the ESFA’s National Competitions’ page and you will be able to follow the progress of this year’s teams via the ESFA’s social media channels. If you have any questions regarding entry in the Arnold Clark Schools’ Cup competitions this season, you can contact the National Competitions Department at [email protected]

Good luck to all the teams that take part in these National Cup competitions in 2023/24.

The English Schools' FA

The National Governing Body for Schools’ Football in England.

ESFA National Finals, Sponsors and Partners

The Pokémon Primary Schools’ Cup National Finals 2023

June 13, 2023June 13, 2023 The English Schools' FA

Pokémon Primary Schools’ Cup 2022/2023 inaugural tournament culminated on the 7^th June at Leicester City FC’s King Power Stadium, which saw teams from across the country compete to win in the U11 Schools’ Cup, U11 Girls’ Cup and U11 Small Schools’ Cup competitions.

The tournament gave over 50,000 players across the country the opportunity to develop their football skills, have fun with their friends and compete for a place in the national finals. We are delighted to announce the following schools as winners and runners up in each of the 3 Pokémon Primary Schools’ Cup competitions –

U11 Schools’ Cup Winner: Harpur Hill Primary School (Derbyshire)

U11 Schools’ Cup Runners Up: Victoria College Prep (Jersey)

U11 Girls’ Cup Winner: St Walburga’s Primary School (Dorset)

U11 Girls’ Cup Runners Up: Tollerton Primary School (Nottinghamshire)

U11 Small Schools’ Cup Winner: Alma Primary School (Middlesex)

U11 Small Schools’ Cup Runners Up: Lindow Community School (Cheshire)

The Pokémon Company International is the official multi-year partner for the Schools’ Cup in collaboration with the English Schools’ FA (ESFA).

“This has been a memorable first tournament with the ESFA. It was great to see how the players worked together with their teammates, which is a core value at Pokémon, putting all of their energy into trying their best to progress through the competition and be crowned the national winners. Everyone who took part should be incredibly proud of themselves,” said Peter Murphy, Senior Director of Marketing at the Pokémon Company International. “Thank you to all the children, parents, schools, teachers, and coaches who made this competition such a success. We look forward to continuing to work alongside the ESFA and giving more children the opportunity to take part in the fun-packed competition for the 23/24 season.”

ESFA Chair, Stuart Botham said “I am delighted that the first season of the Pokémon Primary Schools’ Cup has been such a success and that the ESFA is able to offer such a fantastic range of U11 competitions, thanks to the support of The Pokémon Company International. This partnership is providing the ESFA with the opportunity to grow, improve and enhance each of these three National Cup competitions, meaning that the tens of thousands of children that participate each year will have the best, possible experience at every stage of the tournament. This year’s National Finals at Leicester City FC were a fantastic showcase for the talent, skill and dedication of primary schools from across the country and, on behalf of the ESFA, I would like to thank each and every team for their participation and sportsmanship this season”.

The Pokémon Company International is on a mission to delight fans through excellent products and meaningful experiences, with the hope to help make the world a better place for everyone by creating opportunities to bond and grow through shared journeys and friendly competition.

The partnership includes the U11 Schools’ Cup, U11 Girls’ Cup and U11 Small Schools’ Cup categories which provide a pathway for teams to progress through three rounds of competition. Beginning in local, District rounds, successful teams then go on to compete in County rounds, then one of four Regional Finals, which take place in the North, Midlands, South East and South West of England. The top 6 teams from each Regional Final had the opportunity to travel to the National Finals, where the National Champion of each competition category was crowned.

You can watch footage from the National Finals back via the ESFA’s YouTube Channel, ESFA TV.