Tag: national finals

ESFA National Finals, Sponsors and Partners

The Pokémon Primary Schools’ Cup National Finals 2023

The English Schools' FA

Pokémon Primary Schools’ Cup 2022/2023 inaugural tournament culminated on the 7th 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.

ESFA Internationals, featured

hummel Centenary Shield: Scotland v England

The English Schools' FA

The England U18 Schoolboys continue their hummel Centenary Shield campaign on Friday 31st March with a trip to Broadwood Stadium to face their Scottish counterparts. The match will be streamed live via the Recast TV streaming service on the night.

The England U18 Schoolboys look to build on their winning start in the hummel Centenary Shield, with a trip to the Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld to face their Scottish counterparts. The fixture will kick off at 7pm and be streamed live via the the Recast TV streaming service.

The England U18 Schoolboys travelled to Athlone Town AFC in the Republic of Ireland on Friday 24th of March to kick off their Centenary Shield campaign. England came away with a 3-1 win and 3 points to get their tournament off to the best possible start. Read the full match report from Republic of Ireland v England here.

Scotland have currently played two Centenary Shield fixtures, drawing 0-0 with the Republic of Ireland in the opening game before drawing 1-1 on their travels to Northern Ireland. The much anticipated Scotland v England fixture will surely be a spectacle, with the England team hoping to draw level on points with their Welsh counterparts, who currently sit top of the hummel Centenary Shield table.

The Scotland v England match will be streamed live via the Recast streaming service, for only £3 per fixture – allowing viewers to watch this exciting fixture with full commentary and replays from the comfort of their own home.

It couldn’t be easier to be a part of the live action this season – join Recast and start watching – head to the hummel Centenary Shield Channel, create an account and claim the 25 free Cast Credits.

Stay up to date on the game including the England Schoolboys’ starting line-up plus all the goals and substitutions via the ESFA’s social media channels (@Schoolsfootball). Make sure to check out the @schoolsfootball Instagram story for play by play updates and replays of all the best action.