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Throwback Thursday: ESFA celebrate the Deaf Schools’ Football Finals

The ESFA was due to host it’s annual Deaf Schools’ finals today but unfortunately, this event has been unable to go ahead. However, for our Throwback Thursday piece today we are going to look back at previous Deaf Schools’ competitions and celebrate the diversity of activity that the ESFA provides.

Back in 2019 the ESFA hosted the deaf schools finals at Derby Soccer Dome. 27 teams from across the country travelled to Derby to play in the Junior Boys’ Cup, Senior Boys’ Cup and the Girls’ Cup competitions.

On the day, Heathlands School from Hertfordshire came away victors of the Junior Boys’ Cup whilst Royal School for the Deaf Derby won the Senior Boys’ Competition. The Girls’ cup was won by Royal School for the Deaf, Derby – giving them a double win on the day!

The matches are always played in high spirits by the attending schools and it’s amazing to see the students embracing the competition and seeing football bring them together from all over the country. The ESFA is disappointed it has not been able to host this competition in 2021, but looks forward to next year when the teams can be welcomed back and the competition resumed.

We look forward to providing an opportunity for these kids to play some very competitive football matches next season.

ESFA National Finals, National Competitions

ESFA Deaf Schools’ Cup Finals

On Tuesday 11th February the ESFA hosted the Deaf Schools’ Cup Finals at the Derby Soccer Dome.

The Finals which are held every year by the ESFA was attended by 27 Schools from around the country who played in 3 different competitions:

  • Junior Boys’ Cup
  • Senior Boys’ Cup
  • Girls’ Cup

The event which was hosted at the Derby Soccer Dome was played in an amazing spirit by all with students thoroughly enjoying their day and the competition.  The three competitions were split into group stages, where the top 2 schools progressed through to the knockout stages. The four teams who progressed from the group stages faced off in a semi-final and then a final to decide a winner.

The winners of the Junior Boys competition were Heathlands School from Hertfordshire after winning 5-4 in a tense penalty shootout in the final.

The winners of the Senior Boys were Royal School for the Deaf Derby who came away 2-0 winners v Knightsfield School in the final.

The winner of the girls’ competition was also Royal School for the Deaf Derby who beat Junior Boys winners Heathlands in the Final.

All in all an amazing event for everyone involved and a big thank you to all 27 teams who took part!

Photo Credit- 353 Photography