KING POWER STADIUM CHOSEN FOR ENGLISH FINAL OF WORLD'S BIGGEST UNDER 11’s FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

Wednesday 23 March 2016By ESFA Office

Last Updated:
10/02/2021 10:49:48

Leeds SFA Following Their Win at Last Year's DNC National Finals

• ESFA Danone Nations Cup National Final to be held at King Power Stadium on Sunday 22nd May

• 80% of the young players and coaches taking part in the tournament chose Leicester City as the team they would most like to see win the league

• Over half (55%) picked the King Power Stadium as a ground they would most like to play in

The English leg of the world’s biggest football tournament for 10-12 year olds, the ESFA Danone Nations Cup, will be holding this year’s national final at Leicester City Football Club’s King Power Stadium and a survey completed by the coaches and players of some of the 3,000 schools that have taken part in the competition has backed the decision.

More than half (55%) of all respondents chose King Power Stadium as the ground they would most like to play in when given the option of Old Trafford, Anfield, The Etihad, The Emirates and White Hart Lane, the other top five clubs this season.

In fact 80% of the coaches and players taking part in the Zinedine Zidane backed tournament voted for Leicester City as the team they would most like to see clinch this year’s Premier League crown. It seems Leicester’s incredible rise to the top has had an influence on the 10-12 year olds who are currently vying to get to the National Finals of the ESFA Danone Nations Cup which will take place on Sunday 22 May 2016.

The research also revealed that 50% said Jamie Vardy would be the player they would most like to meet and 56% said he is a player they most look up to. Compared to second place Wayne Rooney, who was selected by only 24% and 14% respectively. In addition, half revealed they would even choose the Foxes as the Premier League side they would most like to play for if given the opportunity.

The overwhelming support for Leicester City and their achievements this year was noted by organisers Danone and the English Schools’ FA and they settled on King Power Stadium as the venue for this year’s ESFA Danone Nations Cup English Final where 32 teams over four categories will battle it out for the trophies and accolade of English Champions.

The Small Schools, Schools, Girls and Inter-District primary school teams are currently taking part in regional finals across England, looking to secure a place to play on what could be hallowed turf come this May, when Leicester could be celebrating a first ever Premier League Trophy.

Charlotte Broos, CSR manager at Danone, said: “We are delighted to announce that the National Final of this year’s tournament will be held at Leicester’s King Power Stadium. The results of our survey showed an incredible show of support for the team and stadium and we are excited to see the teams shine on the 22 May.”

Former Tottenham, Liverpool and England centre back John Scales, ambassador of the tournament said: “The mantra of the Danone Nations Cup is ‘believe in your dreams’, how fitting it will be to see the final at the Foxes ground where the team in pole position in the Premier League are currently doing just that, believing in their dreams.

“The survey results speak volumes and I can’t wait to see the schools in action at the stadium. It will be a fantastic festival of high quality football, and an opportunity for children to follow in the footsteps of current Premier League players such as Erik Lamela who once took part in the tournament.”

Other research results revealed that three in four hope Leicester win the league this season and a huge 83% voted Jamie Vardy’s 11 goals in 11 consecutive matches as one of the best moments in Premier League history with 13% calling it the greatest moment ever. Jamie Vardy still isn’t the most famous man in Leicester though as 47% said that Leicester was most famous for Gary Lineker.

The Small Schools, Schools and Girls teams that win their corresponding categories will have the opportunity to celebrate victory with an open top bus tour through their home town which is being organised by Danone. The winning Inter-District team however, who represent a city or town’s schools football association, will go on to represent England and play in the Danone Nations Cup World Finals that will take place in France following another major tournament hosted there in the summer.

2.5m children worldwide take part in the unique FIFA approved tournament, the English leg of which is run by the English Schools’ Football Association. The Danone Nations Cup has been given the Government’s ‘Inspired by 2012’ seal of approval and is the annual highlight in Danone’s ongoing programme of support for healthy lifestyles through education, fun and fairplay, which includes its ‘Eat Like A Champ’ healthy eating initiative.

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