Scorching and Not Just the Weather, at Secondary Football!

For the fifth consecutive year the Inspiration Trust football tournament took place over two days at The Nest, Norwich. The weather was clear, and the sun was blazing as 9 schools from across Norfolk and Waveney competed in a dazzling display of football skills and teamwork, whilst showing respect and inclusion. Monday saw our Year 7 and 9 students take to the pitch, and on Tuesday it was the turn of the Year 8s and 10s. 36 boys’ and girls’ teams competed each day, with 72 teams competing across both days of the tournament. 

The Nest gave our students the brilliant opportunity to compete on state-of-the-art 3G pitches throughout the tournament. Our Inspiration Trust players all competed at an impressive level, while maintaining high level of professionalism on the pitch. All our schools gave 100%, played with determination up to the final whistle and put on a show for the first Inspiration Trust Sport event of the year. Fast-paced and intense 12-minute matches led to entertaining, end-to-end football, with scorelines, often being decided in the final moments of each match. 

King Edward VII’s Mr Gay was epic with his commentary of East Point Academy’s Year 9 girls’ team, “What brilliant play from EPA. That’s Total Football! It’s like watching Man City play Man Utd”.  

As the two days’ games went on, the players on the pitch really turned up the heat. Even against solid defences, gleaming goals were being fired into the back of the net at blistering speed. After 8 rounds of matches, teams could still not be separated. It was all to play for heading into the 9th and final round of fixtures. Standout performances from our Players of the Tournament led to marginal victories and comebacks in key matches, securing essential points for their teams. 

Paul Wayman, Trust Sports Coordinator added: 

“Inspiration Trust staff and students have really done their academies and their communities proud over the last couple of days. Not only were the matches competed highly competitive but the players showed excellent sporting values such as respect and inclusion. In the four years that I have been involved in the delivery of the football event, never have I seen such high-level football being played.   

We would like to express our thanks to the fantastic staff at The Nest for going above and beyond to ensure that all the Inspiration Trust students had a brilliant experience! Not only does The Nest provide an elite and contemporary football venue, but to host 720 students from all 9 of our Trust schools is no easy feat and their help allows us to run this amazing event. Some students even described the event as the opportunity they needed to go and join a local football team! 

It is a pleasure to work with talented people from across the Trust, students and teachers alike, to enable young people to participate in sport and lead in a variety of roles. A special mention must go out to our Norfolk FA referees: J. Sutherland, C. Brown, N.Hazell, R. Birchall who were supported by our Trust sixth form leaders from King Edward VII & Sir Isaac Newton. Without their support, the days could not run as smoothly as they did.” 

D. Wilkinson said:  

"Over the past two days, I had the pleasure of refereeing the Inspiration Trust’s Year 7-10 football tournament at The Nest. It was a very well organised event with over 300 girls and boys competing each day, but most importantly having fun in the October sunshine! A special mention to the Year 10 boys behaviour and attitudes were exceptional throughout the tournament. What a great event, showcasing sport and young people at their best." 

A massive thank you to all staff and students that participated across both days of the event, and congratulations to our winning schools, All-stars and Players of the Tournament. 

Overall results: 1st, 2nd, 3rd 

Year 7 Girls, Hethersett Academy, King Edward VII Academy, Cromer Academy 

Year 7 Boys, East Point Academy, Cromer Academy, King Edward VII Academy 

Year 8 Girls, Cromer Academy, Great Yarmouth Charter Academy, Hethersett Academy 

Year 8 Boys, East Point Academy, Cromer Academy, Hethersett Academy 

Year 9 Girls, Great Yarmouth Charter Academy, East Point Academy, Hewett Academy 

Year 9 Boys, Thetford Academy, East Point Academy, Hethersett Academy 

Year 10 Girls, East Point Academy, King Edward VII Academy, Thetford Academy 

Year 10 Boys, Great Yarmouth Charter Academy, Hethersett Academy, Thetford Academy 

Players of the tournament: 

Year 7 Girls, Sofia, Hethersett Academy 

Year 7 Boys, Codey, East Point Academy 

Year 8 Girls, Rae, Cromer Academy  

Year 8 Boys, Harley, East Point Academy  

Year 9 Girls, Sandra, Great Yarmouth Charter Academy 

Year 9 Boys, Lucas, Thetford Academy 

Year 10 Girls, Rebecca Nixon, East Point Academy  

Year 10 Boys, Jayden, Great Yarmouth Charter Academy