A SCHOOL football team from Chester are celebrating after reaching the final of a national tournament.
Players from Acresfield Academy in Upton secured their place at the prestigious National Finals of the Pokémon Primary Schools’ Cup last week. The tournament will take place at Derby County’s Pride Park stadium in October.
The team, which is comprised of Year 5 and 6 pupils, is coached each Thursday by ex-pupil Stanley Carr.
The Pokémon Primary Schools’ Cup is the largest primary-aged schools’ cup competition in England, with over 5,000 school teams and over 50,000 children taking part each year.
En route to the National Finals, Acrefield Academy had already tasted victory at the Chester Schools competition and the County Finals – which took place in Crewe in January.
A 4-1 win at the Regional Finals, which took place in Sunderland on March 5, saw the school progress to the competition’s showpiece which is scheduled for later this year.
Headteacher Mike Dixon said: “The thing that has made the school the most proud is that their attitudes have been fantastic.
“It’s not about an individual, it’s about the whole team working together and supporting each other on the pitch.”
On progressing to the National Finals, Mr Dixon said: “The team are really excited. It was a long hike up to Tyne and Wear last week, but it was well worth it.
“Derby will be a bit closer and they’re all looking forward to it.”
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