Football Tournaments for Primary Schools

Aims

Through football tournaments, The Manchester Grammar School aims to bring opportunities to schools, especially those in the state sector, to enjoy a different style of competition and to open up competition to keen footballers whose schools might otherwise not be able to offer fixtures on a regular basis. By inviting both state and independent schools we hope to help foster integration and new relationships through our own expertise and contacts.

Background

The History teacher and Director of Admissions, originally initiated these tournaments in 2009 in conjunction with MGS's Head of Football. We initially used our contacts within the English Schools FA to draw teams towards the tournaments, and have now bridged out further. Teams return year after year and are informing other schools in the region that the competition exists. Previous competitions had focused on eight teams in each category, but the Under-12s has now reached over 20 teams and the Under-18s 12 teams. We hope to expand the latter two to 20 in two more years - our ideal number.

Resources

The matches take place on MGS's football pitches. Football Club staff facilitate, along with ground staff. Our coaches in the relevant year groups manage their teams. Four pitches are used, and our pavilion offers changing facilities, a refreshment centre and toilets. We provide match balls, referees (all qualified) and trophies / medals for winners and runners-up of both Cup and Plate competitions.

Pupil Involvement

Under 12s - 20 teams of Year 7 pupils, with squads of 12 for each team.

Under 18Bs - 12 teams of Year 11-13 - squads of 11 for each team.

Under-15s - 8 teams of Year 10 pupils - squads of 11 for each team.

Frequency

Tournaments happen annually in March. Start time is 1.30pm and we aim to finish by 5.30pm.