Esfa Playstation Schools’ Cup Returns

20 Sep 2017 | tshego

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The ESFA PlayStation Schools’ Cup, a grassroots football competition, has announced its return for a fifth successive season. The partnership with the English Schools’ FA (ESFA) will present over 200,000 school children with a chance to compete in national tournaments to celebrate the spirit of competition, fair play and teamwork.

Since the launch of the PlayStation Schools’ Cup, over 40 Premier League players have visited schools as part of the ‘Tie of the Round’ road shows. Players that have supported the grassroots initiative include Harry Kane, Juan Mata, Cesar Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill, Adam Lallana, Danny Rose, Dele Alli, Peter Crouch, Leighton Baines, Aaron Ramsey, Riyad Mahrez, John Stones, Tom Davies, Jack Butland, and England Women’s captain, Steph Houghton.

PlayStation Schools’ Cup fixtures will take place between September 2017 and March 2018 across the country, with the national finals played in May 2018 as part of a football festival staged over three-days at a professional football stadium.

PlayStation UK, managing director Warwick Light commented: “We are delighted to be teaming up with the English Schools FA again to host what has become the most high-profile grassroots football programmes in the country. Not only does the PlayStation Schools’ Cup give secondary school children from around the country the chance to battle it out on the pitch to win a place at the School’s Cup Festival later in the academic year, but it gives them the chance to meet some of their footballing heroes along the way.”

ESFA chairman Alan Johnston said: “The smiles on the faces of so many pupils at the road show events and the national finals supported by famous Premier League footballers is a huge testament to the positive impact PlayStation continues to have on grassroots football. PlayStation’s support helps us to continue to improve our professional structure for schools football competitions across the country and we are all extremely excited to be extending our successful partnership for a fourth season.”