Archive for month: May, 2017

Derby County emerged victorious in the Kinder+Sport Championship Kids Cup Final, defeating Ipswich Town 2-1 at Wembley Stadium.

Etwall Primary School were the Rams’ winning representatives, while Cedarwood Primary School were representing the Tractor Boys, in a match played at Wembley Stadium prior to the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final.

Derby raced into an early lead when Jack Perry was put clear – he neatly finished beyond the goalkeeper from an acute angle.

It stayed 1-0 up until the break, and Ipswich came out firing on all cylinders, but the Rams defended doggedly to somehow keep the opposition at bay.

The Tractor Boys’ failure to make the pressure count eventually cost them, when captain Harry Hawkins struck a fierce effort into the bottom corner after his original effort from a free-kick was blocked.

With the final whistle imminent, Ipswich needed something special, and they got it. Reuben Swann, the Tractor Boys’ skipper, opted to go for goal straight from kick-off and the ball managed to find its way into the net. However, the referee did blow for full-time immediately after, meaning it was Wembley glory for Derby.

”It’s amazing, not many people get to do that,” goal scorer Hawkins said, reflecting on the final and the experience at the national stadium.

”We’ve worked so hard to get here. It was a once in a lifetime experience to walk up the Wembley steps and lift the trophy.”

Rick Overstone, co head teacher at Etwall Primary, added: ”I’m so proud, the boys have done so well. We’ve been really well supported in the process by Kinder, the EFL, and Derby County.

”The club have come and done a lot of coaching with the school and it’s worked brilliantly.”

The EFL Kids Cup, alongside the Girls Cup for under-13s, is sponsored by Ferrero and the Kinder+Sport programme. Encouraging children to be physically active and embrace the joy of moving is one of Ferrero’s key aims and core corporate social responsibility principles, both in the UK and globally. The Kinder+Sport programme is designed to promote active lifestyles through dynamic play and sports among children and their families, and has reached 15 million children in 27 countries to date.

In the UK, Kinder+Sport includes a number of initiatives. The Kinder+Sport Move and Learn programme is a national, school-based education programme delivered in partnership with The EFL Trust that helps children learn about the importance of a balanced diet and regular physical activity. Ferrero also partners with The EFL Trust to deliver two more national competitions, the Kinder+Sport Futsal Cup for the under-16 age group, and the Kinder+Sport Challenge Cup for the under-18s group.

Both competitions encourage children to get involved with sport and physical activity, whilst giving them a unique opportunity to play at football stadiums. Overall, in the academic year 2016/17, Kinder+Sport together with The EFL Trust will reach more than 47,000 children, helping them to be more active and learn about the benefits of an active lifestyle.

TEAMS

Derby County (represented by Etwall Primary): Leo Wilkinson (GK), Harry Hawkins (captain), Conor Livingstone, Aakish Shibu, Jack Perry, Ben Price, Sam Cheetham, Nick Dickens.

Ipswich Town: (represented by Cedarwood Primary): Theo Hume (GK), Davie Goffin, Regan Tuck, Josh Moore, Arun Maudhoo, Lushan Maudhoo, Harry Boon, Reuben Swann (captain)

Kits provided by Mitre.

Written by Alex Butcher, read more at EFL.com: http://www.efl.com/news/article/2016/kindersport-championship-match-report-3726332.aspx#62UeXQHsEm52jKty.99

Carlisle United became champions of the 2016-17 EFL Trust Futsal Trophy last week, after a terrific display during the finals at Derby Arena.

The competition which began in November, saw eight teams battle it out in the finals starting in two groups of four, with the top two teams of each group making the semi-final stages, and the winners of those making the grand final.

Carlisle United topped their group ahead of Portsmouth, Cambridge United and Mansfield Town and met Bristol City in the semi-final stages.

The other semi-final saw Southampton face rivals Portsmouth after they finished above Bristol City, Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday in their group.

Carlisle United and Portsmouth were the victors of the semi-final stage, so both proceeded to the grand final.

Despite a late fight back from Portsmouth in the decider, the Cumbrians got their hands on the trophy with a 2-1 win.

Watch the video for highlights of the final below:

To find out more about our EFL Trust Futsal and Education programme visit: www.efltrust.com/futsal

This year, over 1500 men and women have represented their local football club in the Walking Football Cup whilst competing for a grand final place in June.

The slow-paced version of the beautiful game, aimed specifically at the over 50’s, has grown enormously over the last few years with proven health and social benefits of its participants. A survey completed during last year’s competition showed that 82% of participants believe their physical health has improved by playing walking football, with 79% of those competing in last year’s competition saying their level of exercise has increased.

Karen, a participant from Coventry City’s Walking Football team said: ”I used to play football and decided that I still wanted to be involved in some way, but as you get older it’s hard as you’re not as fast and fit anymore. So when I noticed that Coventry City had a Walking Football team I had to go down and play!

”I think it’s great for fitness as well as the social benefits. The great thing about Walking Football is you’re still playing the same sport and doing the same things, moving, tackling and shooting. It’s just a little bit slower!”

Over the last few weeks 6 regional finals have taken place across the country, with 72 teams battling for a spot in the grand final at Aston Villa’s training ground on 17th June 2017.

Here are the 12 finalists:

Blackpool FC (Walking Football Champions 2016)

Blackburn Rovers

Bradford City

Cheltenham Town

Colchester United

Dagenham & Redbridge

Gillingham FC

Kidderminster Harriers

Luton Town

Notts County

Plymouth Argyle (Walking Football Cup Champions 2015)

Sheffield United

The EFL and EFL Trust are supporting Mental Health Awareness Week as our clubs continue to do fantastic work in this area using the power of football.

Mental Health Awareness Week, running from 8th to 14th May, is a national campaign coordinated by the Mental Health Foundation and this year’s theme is ‘Surviving or Thriving?’.

Nearly two thirds of people have admitted they have experienced a mental health problem, following a survey from the Mental Health Foundation.

The Professional Footballers’ Association provides support in this area for its members, with footballers seeking advice from the body.

And the work in football doesn’t stop there, as numerous EFL clubs run programmes in their local communities focused towards mental health, including Notts County and their ‘Right Mind’ programme.

The Right Mind programme works with local women to provide advice and support with mental health issues by offering free physical activity and social sessions once a week.

The programme works with 15 women on a weekly basis and have had over 70 referrals since its conception. One of those women, Helen King, had a nervous breakdown two years ago and has been helped in her recovery by the Right Mind programme.

”I have got ADHD and I have a lot of energy needed an outlet. The programme at Notts County looked appealing and I am so glad I did it,” Helen explained.

”I don’t know how I’d have turned out if I hadn’t come across this, I don’t think I’d have come out after the breakdown, so it’s kind of saved me.”

Elsewhere, Swindon Town and Plymouth Argyle both run successful football sessions for adults with mental health issues.

Swindon Town Football Club Community Trust are just one of many EFL clubs who have been working in conjunction with Mind, as a part of the Every Player Counts Project funded by Wembley National Stadium Trust.

Through Every Player Counts, participants have the opportunity to take part in football coaching sessions, social interaction and physical exercise within a safe environment.

One participant in particular, Ian Tanner, who had to resign from his employment position due to acute mental health issues and a diagnosis of schizophrenia and bipolar, has attended over 90% of sessions since joining.

He said: ”The sessions really push me and have certainly increased my confidence levels. I feel very positive after I have finished the sessions.

”I am the eldest in the group and feel very proud that I am able to engage with others doing the sport I have loved all my life.”

EFL Trust Director Of Operations Mike Evans added: ”Across the length and breadth of the country, the community trusts from our EFL clubs are running a range of projects that help people’s mental health, whether directly through specific projects like ‘Right Mind’ or through participation in other sports projects that offer the benefits of exercise and social support, which have proven to improve mental health.”

There are many charities that do work in this area, including Mind. To find out more about Mind, please click here.

To find out about the work the PFA do in this area, please click here.