PRIMARY PUPILS KICK INTO REGIONAL FINALS

Almost 230 youngsters from 20 schools took to the pitches at Silksworth Sports Complex earlier this week to take part in this season’s EFL Kids Cup. The event brought together primary schools from across the North East and was organised by Foundation of Light and supported by the EFL Trust with Boys’ and Girls’ tournaments taking place. The Boys’ final held between Easington Colliery and Bernard Gilpin saw Easington Colliery winning 2-1 and progressing to represent Sunderland AFC in the regional finals at Doncaster in March. The Girls’ final held between St. Josephs and Monkwearmouth Academy was hotly contested with St. Josephs emerging 1-0 victors . The team will represent Sunderland AFC in the regional finals at Middlesbrough FC in January.

I would like to thank all the schools for today.  The team spirit of all the pupils was great and everyone enjoyed themselves.  Every year we host these tournaments and every year they get better and better. Thanks to all the schools who take part and make it such a big success. Helen Edwards Premier League Primary Stars Events Coordinator

Each EFL club organises a Kids Cup local competition for all local schools wishing to take part. The winners of that competition then go on to represent the club in the Area, Regional and National phases of the competition, where they will face schools representing other League clubs. Schools taking part the boys tournament were: Bernard Gilpin, Broadway Juniors, Cleadon Academy, Easington Colliery, Easington Lane, Farringdon Academy, Hedworth Lane School, Seaburn Dene, St Leonards RC Primary and Town End Academy. Schools taking part in the girls’ tournament were: Belmont Community School, Hetton School, Kepier, Monkwearmouth Academy, Sandhill View, Shotton Hall Academy, St. Bedes, St. Josephs Academy, Venerable Bede and Whitburn Academy.