Tag: nationalfinals

ESFA National Finals, featured

Report: ESFA Indoor “Footy Fives” National Final Event

The English Schools' FA
  • English Schools FA 5-a-side National Football Finals at PlayFootball on Monday 16th March 2020 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography

On Monday 16 March the ESFA hosted the National Finals of the indoor Footy Fives competition at PlayFootball in Birmingham. 

The U12 indoor “Footy Fives” Competition, which is sponsored by trophy and medal provider Running Imp, saw 8 boys’ and 8 girls’ regional finalists travel to the heart of the country for their chance to be crowned national champions. The event kicked off with an opening ceremony, whereby each team was presented with their area champions trophies, celebrating their achievement and wishing them luck for the event. 

The finals were well attended by spectators who filled the venue and lined the pitches, providing cheers and words of encouragement throughout the day. 

The teams were split into two groups of 4 who all played each other in a group stage format. The top 2 teams in the group went through to the semi-finals and the bottom two teams were entered into the plate competition. 

The level of football on display was high and the competition was fierce as all the teams battled for a chance to be crowned national champions. 

The first girls’ finalist was St Benedict’s High School from Warwickshire who battled through a tough semi-final with a talented St James’ Catholic High School from Stockport, scoring late into extra time. They faced Shenfield High School who had shown impressive goalscoring form throughout the group stages. St Benedict’s came out victorious winning 2-1, battling for every ball and showing great determination and skill to hold on to their lead.

St Benedict’s High School- National Champions

Cardinal Newman Catholic school from Luton faced Acland Burghley from London in the boy’s final after both teams showed impressive form to win their respective groups. This was an amazing game to watch and Cardinal Newman exploded out of the blocks scoring 3 early goals. Acland Burghley fought back however scoring 3 goals in the second half to take the game to extra time. It was Cardinal Newman Catholic School however who came out on top and were crowned national champions.

Cardinal Newman Catholic School- National Champions

A big thank you to all the teams who attended and congratulations to Cardinal Newman and St Benedicts High School on your fantastic achievement. 

All pictures courtesy of 353 photography. Click here to visit their website and view more.

ESFA National Finals, featured

ESFAUnder 12 Footy Fives Finals-En route to Wembley

The English Schools' FA

The English Schools’ FA (ESFA) begin the route to the end of this season’s fixtures with the first set of National Finals taking place at PlayFootball Birmingham on Monday 16 March.

The U12 Footy Fives competition, which is sponsored by trophy and medal supplier, Running Imp, will see 8 boys’ and 8 girls’ teams travel to the heart of the country, in an attempt to be crowned National Semi Finalists in their respective competitions.

In a change to the usual format, the ESFA have teamed up with The FA and EURO 2020 organisers to arrange for the National Finals in both the Girls’ and Boys’ U12 Footy Fives competitions to be played against the backdrop of the iconic Wembley Stadium on Friday 12 June 2020, as part of the UEFA EURO 2020 opening weekend celebrations.

Phil Harding, ESFA Chairman said “On behalf of the English Schools’ FA, I am delighted that we are able to include four of our teams to be a part of the UEFA EURO 2020 celebrations this year. It’s wonderful that such a huge, international event is taking place at Wembley Stadium and as such, that some of the ESFA’s competition entrants will have a special and unique opportunity to be part of something truly exciting, particularly in the warm-up to the opening ceremony. I wish all 16 teams attending the Birmingham finals the very best of luck in their endeavours.”

The four competing teams will have the chance to experience their National Final in a way that has never been possible for teams before, with them taking to the Arena Square pitch in front of Wembley stadium as the entire site gears up towards the start of the UEFA EURO 2020 celebrations.

Stay tuned on our social media channels on Monday 16th March for updates on the competition progress and to find out who will be travelling to Wembley in June.