English Schools' Football Association

Team England at the Danone Nations World Cup in Poland

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Just as the cheers from the Olympic and Paralympic games have died down, it has been announced that England is to host another global sports contest – the Danone Nations Cup World Final in 2013.

The news was announced by Franck Riboud, Danone’s global CEO at the 2012 Danone Nations Cup World final at the National Stadium, Warsaw, Poland.

2.5 million children from 40 countries globally take part in the Danone Nations Cup each year. The 2012 world final was attended by 40 teams, 40,000 spectators, 250 journalists and the tournament’s global ambassador, Zinedine Zidane.

England’s team were ranked 4^th in the 2012 tournament’s ‘fair play’ awards and came 26^th overall. The team was made up of under 12’s from Forest Hill School in South East London, Malet Lambert School in Hull, St Margaret’s Church of England High School, Liverpool and Harefield Academy, Middlesex.

The four schools were the most successful teams from the England leg of the Danone Nations Cup, which is coordinated with the English Schools Football Association. They beat 650 other teams to win their places in the squad after a nail-biting final at Chelsea Football Club’s Stamford Bridge in May 2012.

Kris Hollidge, England Team 2012 coach and sports coach at Forest Hill said the experience had been unforgettable, adding:

“It has been just amazing and the highlight has been seeing the boys getting to know and play with teams from all over the world. Some members of the Korean team, who won the tournament, came to swap shirts with the boys because they got on so well.

“It was just incredible for them to play in a huge stadium in front of so many people and mix with other people from all over the world. We have had huge levels of support out here and it has been great to see the team enjoying themselves so much.”

Former England, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur player John Scales is ambassador for the Danone Nations Cup. He said:

“It has been a truly brilliant world final and it has been wonderful to see the boys building stronger and stronger bonds as a team and getting on so well with their competitors from all over the world – that’s what Danone Nations Cup is all about.

“Now the countdown is on until England gets to showcase its hospitality and sense of fair play to the entire world!”

Nicolas Riom, Managing Director of Danone UK said:

“Danone UK is very proud to host the Danone Nations Cup World Final in 2013. This is a perfect opportunity to keep the spirit of the Olympics alive in the UK and inspire millions more children to get active and believe in their dreams.

“After such an amazing summer we have seen how well London can host global sporting events. We are committed to ensuring next year’s Danone Nations Cup World Final will be bigger and better than ever.”

Further news on the final location, date and details of 2013’s world final will be announced in 2013.

To view or download footage of the England team in Poland click here

To view Team England images in Poland click here