Release Date: 29/01/2008
East Sheen Primary took home the spoils from the borough’s biggest-ever primary school football tournament on Friday (25 January).
More than 350 boys from 35 schools took part in the seven-a-side festival at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) Sports Club in Teddington.
The event was staged in partnership with Brentford FC Community Sports Trust as part of Richmond Council’s ongoing Competitive Edge programme.
Players competed both for their schools and also to win a place in the borough’s team for the London Mini Youth Games in June.
The result was a hotly contested morning group phase. The top two teams in the eight groups progressed into four further pools, with the winner of each securing a spot in the semi-finals.
The first saw Queen’s CE Primary overcome St Stephen’s CE Primary, while East Sheen beat Archdeacon Cambridge’s. In a tense final, East Sheen ran out 3-1 winners to be crowned borough champions for the first time.
Buckingham Primary won the plate competition for those schools who finished outside the top two places in the group stage.
Cllr John Coombs, Cabinet Member for Youth, Culture and Leisure on Richmond Council, said:
“Congratulations to the East Sheen team. To triumph in the biggest ever primary tournament we have staged is a great achievement.
“I am delighted that the excellent Competitive Edge programme, which aims to boost participation in competitive sports, continues to go from strength to strength.
“There are numerous benefits for all the young people taking part, from developing their sporting abilities and teamwork skills, to boosting confidence and staying fit and healthy.
“Long may it continue.”