EFL Kids & Girls Cup winners to represent Doncaster Rovers’ in next round

Over recent weeks, Club Doncaster Foundation have delivered their local EFL Utilita Kids & Girls Cup tournaments, for participants from numerous schools across Doncaster, to find the school who will go on to represent Doncaster Rovers in the next round of each cup.

October, saw over 170 Year 5 & 6 children form 22 individual teams from primary schools within the city, descend on the Eco-Power Stadium astroturf pitches, to compete in the group stages of the EFL Kids Cup, with the hopes of making it through to the final. 

With a fixture packed day and plenty of football skills on show, teams battled it out, with Our Lady of Mount Carmel coming out top, after beating off competition in the group and knockout stages, before winning the final [score] against [team] to secure their place in the next round. 

Mason Fairclough, Sport Development Officer, organised the tournament and spoke of how impactful the annual tournament is. “It’s a fantastic tournament that we get to do every year. 

“We had 22 schools in attendance, which is incredible to see. We get more and more teams getting involved and it’s the perfect opportunity as a Foundation, to showcase some of the activities that we host, get children playing football, while also getting the opportunity to speak to different staff and PE leads from a variety of schools across the city.

“The spirit of the tournament was seen throughout the day, with great football and great sportsmanship shown throughout.”

Last Friday, the second of the two tournaments took place, this time for Year 7 & 8 girls from secondary schools across Doncaster, it it was the first time in the Foundation’s history of delivering the competition, that every secondary school in Doncaster entered the competition. 

Ed O’Mahony, Sport Development Officer, was pleased with how the event ran. “This year’s Girls Cup competition was a landmark event for us, with every secondary school in Doncaster entering the competition. 

“We had 19 teams attend, with 170 Year 7 and 8 schoolgirls battling it out for the chance to represent Doncaster Rovers in the next stage. 

“Following closely contested group and knockout stages, The Hayfield School emerged victorious by defeating Ridgewood School A in the final through a penalty shootout. 

"It was fantastic to welcome Belles player, Oti Laki down to the tournament too, to speak with the girls and talk about her journey within football.

“We’d like to thank all players and teachers for making the afternoon a success and wish the team from The Hayfield School the best of luck in the next stage of the competition.”

Our Lady of Mount Carmel were congratulated at Saturday's Rovers game against Salford City, at half time, where they took part in a penalty shootout, with the Hayfield School being invited to an upcoming fixture. 

They’ll both be representing their school and Doncaster Rovers in the next round of each competition, in the New Year, with the hopes of reaching further stages of the competition. 

We wish them both the best of luck in the next round.