Leeds Beckett Plays Host to Leeds School’s Football Festival Finals

From Year 7 up to Year 13, from cups to leagues, from 9-a-side to 11-a-side, the cream of Leeds schools' football have just finished competing in a series of matches hosted by Leeds Beckett University on their Headingley Campus.

Schools involved include Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School, Ilkley Grammar School, Prince Henry's Grammar School, Ralph Thoresby High School, Horsforth School, Temple Moor High School, Wetherby High School, Oulton Academy, The Morley Academy, Bruntcliffe Academy, Boston Spa Academy, Garforth Academy, Carr Manor Community School, Allerton Grange School, Benton Park, Woodkirk Academy, The Farnley Academy and Roundhay School.

The university made three pitches available to schools for the duration of the football festival, including two fully floodlit 3G pitches. The school teams got to use the same facilities and professional environment used by Olympians and pro teams who visit the Leeds Beckett campus in Headingley.

The school players were following in the footsteps of the Leeds United academy and first team, the Leeds Rhinos and Tykes, all of whom use the university’s leading facilities.

The quality of the matches was sky high, with university staff and spectators impressed by the standard and the spirit of the matches.

Joe Rossiter, Director of University Recruitment and Partnerships at Leeds Beckett University said: "We're delighted to back schools' football in Leeds and host the teams as part of our ongoing commitment to sport in the city. We're happy to play our part in championing sport at all levels from grassroots through to elite international athletes."

Ben Harding, Leeds Schools Football Co-ordinator, who has been helping to organise the finals, added: "School football is a vital part of the sporting picture in the UK, and it can only be good for pupils to play games on proper pitches in professional surrounds."