Chairman's Monthly Message: March 2011

Monday 28 March 2011By ESFA Office

Last Updated:
10/02/2021 10:48:53

England Schools' Internationals Moyo (left) and Boakye at Thomas Telford

Cliff Moyo and Thomas Boakye visit Thomas Telford School

A message from Mike Coyne, the ESFA Chairman, for 2011:

In the last month the demands on my time as chairman have begun to increase as is usual for this time of year. The international programme has begun in earnest and we are getting to the time when ESFA National Finals take centre stage.

Our international season began with a Centenary Shield game against Northern Ireland at Telford United. The New Bucks Head was a very good location for the game and we were made very welcome by the club. The ESFA are very grateful to Thomas Telford School and Madeley Academy who put their excellent facilities at the disposal of the England and Northern Ireland Squads respectively. From an England perspective the only disappointment was the outcome of the game. Northern Ireland ran out deserved winners 2-0.

The ESFA Community and PR committee have initiated a new scheme to enable the ESFA U18 squad to get into local schools prior to internationals to promote the work of the association and to act as role models for younger students. This had a very positive start in Telford as the team joined in as coaches with a small sided tournament with Y7 children at Thomas Telford School. This went very well and drew the following remarks from the head of PE at the school:

The main reason for my e-mail is recognise the behaviour of the U18’s Squad whilst they were at Thomas Telford School on the Thursday and Friday morning.

The U18’s were perfect role models. A number of students at School were able to observe some part of the sessions and very impressed with technical ability of the squad.

On the Friday morning the squad also came in for a short session and then were also made available to help out in a Year 7 PE Football lesson. Without exception every single player went above and beyond what was expected. They joined in games and were helping players. When goals were scored they were celebrating with our students, and giving constant encouragement throughout.

Please could you convey my thanks to Andy Williams and the rest of the English Schools organisation.

Iain Sweeney, Head of Physical Education, Thomas Telford School

Also on the international scene I am very pleased to see that plans are now in place for the first ever match for our newly formed Girls’ U15 team. They will play Scotland in Glasgow on 23rd April 2011. We wish them every success.

The National Finals have begun and I have been delighted to see the programme get off to a very positive start. The National Final for Deaf Schools and the U12 5-a-side events both went well and I offer my congratulations to both the winners of the events and all those schools who made it to a prestigious National Final. I am grateful to Vice Chair John Appleby who has represented me on both occasions and to our National Competitions Department who do an excellent job.

As a Somerset based headteacher I was very proud to attend the recent U18 international at Yeovil Town FC. A fantastic crowd of 6,197 witnessed a great schools’ football occasion and a 1-0 win for England. I would like to thank the Somerset Schools’ FA for staging the event and giving me a chance to celebrate my year as chairman with an international so close to home. The success of the evening was a real team effort but special thanks go to the staff of Priory Community School in Weston Super Mare. Under the leadership of their Headteacher (and Match Secretary) Neville Coles they were the driving force behind the event.

The month ahead looks as busy as the last one. I wish all young players and coaches success as they take part in National Finals and Semi Finals over the next couple of months. My message to them is to savour the moment as many students and teachers (including me) never get to experience taking part in a National Final.

Mike Coyne
Chairman

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