THE VAYNOR First School became the first winners of the new Sports Stars Education School Sports Football Championship.
Sports Stars Education, which offers specialist sports coaching for schools within Worcestershire, was delighted to stage the event on the 3G pitch at Studley Sports Centre.
Sixteen year four teams from around Worcestershire and Warwickshire including Batchley, Vaynor, Astwood Bank, Webheath, St Gregory’s, Mount Carmel, Crabbs Cross Academy, Tenacres, Meadow Green, Coughton Primary and St Thomas More competed for the title.
The tournament guaranteed all teams four matches in the group stages before the final stages converted to a knockout system.
Sports Stars tournament organiser, Redditch United’s Jordan Jones said: “The standard of football on show was excellent with a few fine individual displays as well as some superb team efforts.
“It was also pleasing to see so many parents supporting their children. It helped add to the excitement.”
After a hard fought knockout stage, the final pitted Vaynor First School against Astwood Bank First School.
With the score 0-0 after full time, the game went straight to a sudden-death penalty shoot-out and Vaynor were victorious to win the inaugural Sports Stars Championship.
Medals were presented by Birmingham City scout Barry Huntington, who was full of praise for the event.
Vaynor’s PE co-ordinator James Walker said: “What a cracking tournament. The children absolutely loved it and so did I. The day was really well organsied and I hope there’s more on the horizon.
“It was a good experience to be playing against schools we wouldn’t usually meet and the whole afternoon was exciting, culminating in a gripping final.”
Vaynor had 17 boys representing the school in two different teams and both made it through the group stages before the Vaynor 2 team lost on penalties in their first knockout game having not conceded a goal.
The Vaynor 1 team won all their matches to reach the final, which ended with Finley Baker netting their penalty in the shoot-out before Astwood Bank fired their first penalty against the post, leaving Vaynor victorious.
If your school is interested in participating in the next Sports Stars Championship, email [email protected].
