On Wednesday 30^th January it was the Girls teams that kicked off proceedings when they attended our venue for the day, the superb new 3G Astroturf at Ormiston Stanley Matthews Academy. Despite the blustery conditions there was some extremely positive football played by all involved. To try and encourage more females within the schools to take part it was pre decided that the tournament be run on a 4 v 4 basis. This was a successful implementation as it allowed more touches and allowed greater space for the teams to work in which was shown in the successful qualification to the Staffordshire School Games Level 3 Finals by Middlehurst and Walton Hall schools. 

The Boys tournament that was held on Wednesday 13^th February began with a quick change of venue from Ormiston to the Stoke City Academy Dome due to the blizzard snow conditions. Luckily this didn’t deter the teams from showcasing their talents in front of the gathering spectators. As schools have more boys to choose from their competition was run on a 7 v 7 basis on a slightly longer and wider pitch than the previous girls’ tournament.

After a number of close scoring games the 2 boys teams that qualify for the Staffordshire School Games Level 3 Finals were Abbey Hill and CEDARS.

Thanks to the great partnership between Staffs FA and Stoke City FC all competing teams in the boys and girls tournaments were treated to a complimentary tour of The Britannia Stadium. This included a look around the Trophy Cabinet, pitch side, dugouts, interview area, away changing rooms and the opportunity to sit where their Stoke City hero’s change in the home team dressing room.

A big congratulations to all the schools that took part as well as a massive thank you to Ormiston Stanley Matthews Academy, Stoke City FC and our referee for both tournaments John Emery.