English Schools' Football Association (ESFA)

ESFA Schools

Competitions

The English Schools’ FA National Competitions Department are delighted to announce than entry window for the 2017-2018 National Cup Competitions is now open!

Please find below all the information you will need for the upcoming season’s competitions, sponsors and entry information.

What the ESFA Offers

The ESFA offer National Cup competitions for all secondary schools and further education colleges in England, so don't let your pupils miss out on the fantastic experience of entering English Schools’ FA Cup competitions for 2017-2018!

The competitions we run are some of the world’s largest football competitions and over 7,000 secondary school and college football teams competed last season! We firmly believe that the ESFA gives pupils an educational experience of competing against schools outside of local District and County Cup competitions. The draw is structured so that the early round matches are drawn regionally to save on travel costs, however we also offer flexibility for you to choose to play out of county fixtures, wherever possible, right from the start of the season if you so wish!

Last season our fantastic 15 PlayStation Schools’ Cup finals, from the Under 12 to Under 15 age group were played at Derby County FC, over three consecutive days in May. The event included personal appearances by Tom Davies, Leighton Baines, Peter Crouch, Steph Houghton and commentary from John Scales and Clive Tyldesley.

The PlayStation Schools' Cup is a fantastic partnership between PlayStation and the ESFA and provides opportunities for schools and pupils throughout the season to get involved with events and competitions highlighting the importance and the fun of Schools' Football!

To see full matches and highlights you can visit our YouTube Channel.

Our 4 x Under 16 Premier League Schools’ Cup Finals were played at Manchester Regional Arena, on Manchester City’s Etihad Complex, whilst other finals were hosted at Stoke City FC, Everton FC, Blackburn Rovers, Doncaster Rovers, Birmingham City FC, the Ricoh Arena and St George’ Park, amongst others. All National Finals were broadcast live online via the ESFA and PlayStation Schools’ Cup YouTube channels, with some matches getting tens of thousands of viewers! 353 Photography were in attendance at all finals, so each moment was captured for our players and schools to keep.

Continued Partnership with Pendle

The ESFA’s Official Kit Provider 2017-18

Last season we launched a new partnership with Pendle Sportswear as they became the ESFA’s Official Kit Supplier for 2016-17 and again in 2017-18. Pendle see this partnership as a way to bring their core values of trust, quality and exceptional service to the ESFA and all secondary schools and the ESFA are proud to be kitting out our International Squads in Pendle kit and proving opportunities for our schools teams to also benefit from this great new partnership.

The ESFA and Pendle would like to invite schools nationwide to become an ESFA partner school and set up a FREE Online Shop with the benefit of easy and affordable kit ordering for sports departments and for parents to purchase quality school PE kit direct from the brand.

ESFA Partner School Benefits

Complimentary development of your own Online School Shop
Huge savings on high quality football kits, training equipment and PE kits
Despatch of printed kits within 2 days – straight to your door
Options to create school funds

Other ESFA Partners

We have a fantastic collection of partnerships and sponsors, all of which are able to provide fantastic offers and discounts to ESFA partner schools. We will email you over the course of the season with offers, promotions and events that we think will be of benefit to our schools. We only send out the most relevant and high quality information to our schools – so keep your eyes peeled for offers and opportunities from some of the following:

Danone
Impact Trophies
National Football Museum
Mark Harrod Goals
British Heart Foundation
inspiresport
Koolpak
Pass4Soccer

What’s New in Competitions?

After a National Competition Review process, the following amendments were made last season and will continue to remain in place during the 2017-18 season:

Select your fixture preference – local fixtures, out of county or no preference

The U13 Girls’ Cup is now a 9v9 competition (formerly 11v11)
A maximum of 3 professional club academy players can participate in a Schools’ Cup or Small Schools’ Cup fixture. There are no restrictions in place regarding the number of professional club academy players that can participate in an Elite Schools’ Cup fixture. Schools can compete in both as long as the rules of the competition are upheld
A new Under 18 Elite Cup was created last season, which is specifically designed to cater for schools and colleges that offer a football academy programme at sixth form level. Students that have enrolled at the school or college as part of a football academy programme are ineligible to participate in standard Under 18 Schools’ Cup or Under 18 Colleges’ Cup
Player registration will be instigated free of charge at the last 64 of each competition (last 32 for the smaller competitions). This will hopefully alleviate any issues regarding player eligibility
The ‘Open’ Schools’ Cup competitions have now been renamed to the ‘Elite Schools’ Cup’ across the various age groups
We have created a new Under 18 Schools’ Cup for B Teams for 2017-2018

ESFA Competition Entry

If you are registered as a contact for your school or college on our database, you will have received an email directly with your login details. Once you have followed the instructions on screen, you will be able to select the competitions you would like to enter for this season.

Please find below a description of the competitions available – this explains the eligibility for each competition, please ensure you fully understand the parameters for entry as we do have to remove teams if they are found to be ineligible.

Elite Schools’ Cups
In our slightly more elite level of the standard Schools’ Cup competitions, there is no limit to the number of Academy Players that can appear in school teams within the Open Cup. Any teams are welcome to play, if they are interested in experiencing a slightly higher level of fixture.

Schools’ Cups
These are our general competitions, open for any school team to enter. Schools that have Academy Players within their teams are only allowed to field a maximum of 3 to help keep the level of competition fairer for those schools without the availability of these players.

Small Schools’ Cups
Designed specifically for those smaller schools that find it difficult to compete with schools that have an abundance of players to choose from – if there are less than 65 boys on roll in a year group, then they are eligible to field a team in this competition.

‘B Team’ Schools’ Cups
For teams already entered into the Elite, standard Schools’ or Small Schools’ Cup competitions, they have the option to enter another team in the B Team. A team and B teams must be completely separate from each other, which allows a full extra squad of players to experience playing in a National Cup competition.

Schools’ Cup for Girls’ Competitions
We have a programme of girls’ cup competitions, designed specifically for the development of girls’ football within the school setting. These range right across all school years from U12 to U18, giving a whole host of opportunities to competing schools.

Note: The Under 12 Girls’ 9-a-side Schools’ Cup (Year 6 & 7 only) will be run after Christmas. The entry forms for this competition will be circulated in November.

Under 18 Regional Leagues

The ESFA will offer regional leagues to schools and colleges across England. It is expected that each league will host 8-10 teams, with each team playing each other once within the league. Schools that currently enter local leagues run by the County Schools’ FA will be expected to fulfil their commitments in the local league. It is not the ESFA’s intention to compete directly with the County Schools’ FA as this competition is designed for those schools that do not currently have a local league to play in.

Schools wishing to enter leagues organised by external providers, must seek sanction from the ESFA before entering.

Season 2018-2019

Key Dates

Competition Entry Starts: 15 Jun 2018.
Early Entry Discount: 15% before 23 Jun 2018.
Late Entry Surcharge: 0% if entered after competition deadline date.

Boys National Competitions

District to host feeder round for ESFA Boys Under 11 Danone Nations 7-A-Side School Teams' Cup
School Years
Years 5 and 6 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact your local District Schools' Football Association
Notes
Tick this box if your District SFA will be hosting a District Round of this competition
District to host feeder round for ESFA Boys Under 11 Danone Nations Small Schools' Soccer Sevens
School Years
Years 5 and 6 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact your local District Schools' Football Association
Notes
District SFA will be hosting a District Round of this competition. For schools with fewer 100 pupils in Key Stage II and not more than 30 pupils in Year 6
District SFA to host feeder round for ESFA Boys Under 12 Running Imp Indoor 5-A-Side Schools’ Cup
School Years
Year 7 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact your local District Schools' Football Association
Notes
Tick this box if your District SFA will host a local round of the ESFA U12 Indoor Football Fives
ESFA Boys Under 12 PlayStation 9-a-Side Schools' Cup for 'B' Teams
School Years
Year 7 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
Notes
For 'B' teams of Schools which have entered an 'A' team into the U12 Schools' Cup. Players registered with a professional club academy are not eligible to participate in this competition.
ESFA Boys Under 12 PlayStation 9-a-Side Schools’ Cup
School Years
Year 7 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
Notes
A maximum of three players who are registered with a professional club academy can participate in a match in this competition.
ESFA Boys Under 12 PlayStation 9-a-Side Small Schools' Cup
School Years
Year 7 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
Notes
For Schools with fewer than 65 boys on roll in Year 7. A maximum of three players who attend an FA licensed academy / centre of excellence can participate in a match in this competition.
ESFA Boys Under 12 PlayStation Elite Schools' Cup
School Years
Year 7 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
Notes
There is no restriction on the number of Premier League / Football League Academy players that can be fielded in a fixture in this competition
ESFA Boys Under 13 PlayStation Elite Schools' Cup
School Years
Year 8 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
Notes
There is no restriction on the number of Premier League / Football League Academy players that can be fielded in a fixture in this competition
ESFA Boys Under 13 PlayStation Schools' Cup
School Years
Year 8 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
Notes
A maximum of three players who are registered with a professional club academy can participate in a match in this competition.
ESFA Boys Under 13 PlayStation Schools' Cup For 'B' Teams
School Years
Year 8 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
Notes
For 'B' teams of Schools which have entered an 'A' team into the U13 Schools' Cup. Players registered with a professional club academy are not eligible to participate in this competition.
ESFA Boys Under 13 PlayStation Small Schools' Trophy
School Years
Year 8 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
Notes
For schools with fewer than 65 boys on roll in Year 8
ESFA Boys Under 14 PlayStation Elite Schools' Cup
School Years
Year 9 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
Notes
There is no restriction on the number of Premier League / Football League Academy players that can be fielded in a fixture in this competition
ESFA Boys Under 14 PlayStation Schools' Cup
School Years
Year 9 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
Notes
A maximum of three players who are registered with a professional club academy can participate in a match in this competition.
ESFA Boys Under 14 PlayStation Schools' Cup for 'B' Teams
School Years
Year 9 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
Notes
For 'B' teams of Schools which have entered an 'A' team into the U14 Schools' Cup. Players registered with a professional club academy are not eligible to participate in this competition.
ESFA Boys Under 14 PlayStation Small Schools' Trophy
School Years
Year 9 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
Notes
For schools with fewer than 65 boys on roll in Year 9. A maximum of three players who attend an FA licensed academy / centre of excellence can participate in a match in this competition.
ESFA Boys Under 15 PlayStation Elite Schools' Cup
School Years
Year 10 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
Notes
There is no restriction on the number of Premier League / Football League Academy players that can be fielded in a fixture in this competition
ESFA Boys Under 15 PlayStation Schools' Cup
School Years
Year 10 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
Notes
A maximum of three players who are registered with a professional club academy can participate in a match in this competition.
ESFA Boys Under 15 PlayStation Schools' Cup for B Teams
School Years
Year 10 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
Notes
For 'B' teams of Schools which have entered an 'A' team into the U15 Schools' Cup. Players registered with a professional club academy are not eligible to participate in this competition)
ESFA Boys Under 15 PlayStation Small Schools' Trophy
School Years
Year 10 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
Notes
For schools with fewer than 65 boys on roll in Year 10. A maximum of three players who attend an FA licensed academy / centre of excellence can participate in a match in this competition.
ESFA Boys Under 16 Premier League Elite Schools' Cup
School Years
Year 11 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
Notes
There is no restriction on the number of Premier League / Football League Academy players that can be fielded in a fixture in this competition
ESFA Boys Under 16 Premier League Schools’ Cup
School Years
Year 11 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
Notes
A maximum of three players who are registered with a professional club academy can participate in a match in this competition.
ESFA Boys Under 16 Premier League Small Schools' Cup
School Years
Year 11 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
Notes
For schools with fewer than 65 boys on roll in Year 11. A maximum of three players who attend an FA licensed academy / centre of excellence can participate in a match in this competition.
ESFA Boys Under 18 Colleges' Trophy
School Years
Years 11 to 13 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
Notes
Students that have enrolled at the college as part of a football academy / development programme are ineligible to participate in this competition (players that undertake 6 or more hours of football training per week at the college are ineligible)
ESFA Boys Under 18 Elite Schools' & Colleges' Cup
School Years
Years 11 to 13 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
Notes
Specifically designed for schools and colleges that run football academy / development programmes at sixth form level.
ESFA Boys Under 18 Regional League
School Years
Years 11 to 13 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£100
Notes
Teams will be allocated into regional leagues and fixtures ciculated in September
ESFA Boys Under 18 Schools' Cup for B Teams
School Years
Years 11 - 13 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
Notes
** New Competition ** (For schools which have entered a team into the U18 Schools' Trophy. Players that have represented the school in the U18 Schools' Cup are ineligible to participate in this comeptition.
ESFA Boys Under 18 Schools' Trophy
School Years
Years 11 to 13 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
Notes
Students that have enrolled at the school as part of a football academy / development programme are ineligible to participate in this competition (players that undertake 6 or more hours of football training per week at the school are ineligible)

Girls National Competitions

District to host feeder round for ESFA Girls Under 11 Danone Nations 7-A-Side Schools' Cup
School Years
Years 5 and 6 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact your local District Schools' Football Association
Notes
Tick this box if your District SFA will be hosting a District Round of this competition
District SFA to host feeder round for ESFA Girls Under 12 Running Imp Indoor 5-A-Side Schools’ Cup
School Years
Year 7 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact your local District Schools' Football Association
Notes
Tick this box if your District SFA will host a local round of the ESFA U12 Indoor Football Fives
ESFA Girls Under 12 PlayStation 9-a-Side Schools' Cup
School Years
Years 6 and 7 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
ESFA Girls Under 13 PlayStation 9-a-Side Schools' Cup
School Years
Years 7 and 8 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
ESFA Girls Under 14 PlayStation Schools' Cup
School Years
Years 8 and 9 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
ESFA Girls Under 15 PlayStation Schools' Cup
School Years
Year 9 and 10 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
ESFA Girls Under 16 Premier League Schools’ Cup for Girls
School Years
Years 10 and 11 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
ESFA Girls Under 18 Colleges' Trophy
School Years
Years 11 to 13 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20
ESFA Girls Under 18 Schools' Trophy
School Years
Year 11 to 13 Only
Deadline
late entries by 21 Jul 2018
Entry
Contact the ESFA or login to ESFA School account
Entry Fee
£20