After reigning supreme in the Utilita Kids Cup Local Finals Day, Minworth Junior & Infant School will now go on to represent West Bromwich Albion in the regional phases of the EFL tournament.
The nationwide competition involves over 16,000 school children under the age of eleven up and down the United Kingdom, with each EFL club organising a tournament for local schools, before the winners move onto regional and national fixtures against other EFL clubs and their school representatives.
Held at the West Bromwich Albion Academy Dome, the Local Finals Day also involved pupils from Red Hall Primary School, St Bede’s Catholic Middle School, Glebefields Primary School, St Philip’s Catholic Primary School and Holy Trinity Catholic School.
Andy Forman, Premier League Primary Stars Coordinator at The Albion Foundation, said: “28 schools have entered, we’ve had a total of two preliminary rounds for 28 to become six and they’re now playing for the right to represent West Bromwich Albion against all the other Championship South clubs.”
Across the two preliminary rounds and finals day, The Albion Foundation engaged with over 324 children, with their physical wellbeing improving, while having a chance to develop and learn new skills.
“Some of the children have never been in a proper football competition before, so just being in the dome, they’re a little bit in awe of it.
“They’ve been having lots of fun, while being inspired and engaged - they’ve really enjoyed the experience,” added Andy.
With Minworth ultimately coming out on top from the six finalists, the Sutton Coldfield based Primary School will now go on to represent West Bromwich Albion in the Championship South side of the Utilita Kids Cup draw, with the six-a-side competition culminating in exciting finals held at Wembley across the Sky Bet EFL Play-Off weekend in May.
Kelly Lickley, Minworth Infant & Junior School Headteacher said: “It’s our first-time taking part in the Utilita Kids Cup and it’s been a really well organised event. It’s been a privilege to be part of, the communication has been superb, and our children are ecstatic to have been a part of it.
“I’m incredibly proud of how they’ve played together as a team and how they worked with the other schools, I think that highlights how well they deserve the win. They played fairly, and with determination without - it was a team win.”
We’d like to thank every school that took part in this season’s Utilita Kids Cup Local Tournament and wish Minworth all the best as they head into the next phase of the competition representing West Bromwich Albion.