St Cedd’s School Girls’ Football Team Crowned National Champions

St Cedd’s School’s Year 6 Girls’ Football Team have had outstanding success in the Summer Term, regionally and nationally. At the end of May, the team of 10 girls excelled in the Independent Schools’ Football Association (ISFA) U11 Girls South Central Regional Qualifier, winning the tournament without conceding a single goal or losing a match. They played against 15 local schools in the tournament, which was held at Forest School in Snaresbrook, and the girls won their group and semi-final before winning the final against Chigwell School with a goal on the stroke of half-time and a second goal midway through the second half.

As winners, they then attended the ISFA U11 Girls National Finals at St George's Park in Staffordshire on 15 June to represent the region. They competed against the top 12 schools in England, who had each qualified from the regional tournaments, and St Cedd’s School progressed to the final. Outstandingly, they beat Chigwell School 1-0 in the final, with an excellent save by their goalkeeper, and were therefore crowned National Champions. Phenomenally, the girls were unbeaten in their group at St George’s Park, only conceding one goal which was also the only goal against them in all their tournament matches this year, and scored 23 goals overall throughout their matches on the day.

Mr Tom Whaley, Director of Sport at Chelmsford’s St Cedd’s School, says, “The girls have been outstanding at football this year and to be crowned champions is a testament to the team and their commitment to School sport. The girls have worked tirelessly throughout the year to get the opportunity to go to St George’s Park; hard work and commitment have been key factors in the girls’ success. The team won all their matches in both tournaments bar one, which they drew, and only conceded one goal. An amazing achievement and a great way to finish this very talented group of girls’ time at St Cedd’s School. I am confident they will have inspired many younger pupils to play football and strive to achieve the same.”