Story added: 11th July 2014

Debut for tournament aimed at Year 1 & 2 students

Canary 4s, the first CSF mini-tournament for Key Stage One students, took place at the Football Development Centre in Norwich today.

Twenty-eight schools from across Norfolk and Suffolk joined in with the action, each giving ten lucky students the exciting chance to play in the tournament.

The five to seven year old participants played against other schools, many for the first time, in small four-a-side games. The girls played the first half, with the boys taking to the field for the second.

As per the inclusive, non-competitive nature of the tournament, schools tended to pick mixed-ability squads in order to give those lacking self-confidence the opportunity to play alongside their more confident peers.

Nicola Cushion, headteacher at Hethersett Woodside Infants, who was there to cheer on her students, said:

“It’s been wonderful to see everyone get so excited today. I’m so proud of my students, and it’s especially pleasing to see the girls get so involved.

The children have recognised it doesn’t matter about winning, it’s about having fun – and they’ve had plenty of that!”

At the end of the tournament, each child received a medal plus the chance to meet Sportasaurus, CSF’s friendly mascot.

The pilot tournament, which was funded by the Premier League, will look to be rolled out as a regular fixture as part of the Schools programme.

To find out more what CSF can offer your school, plus information on Canary 4s, please contact our Schools Development Officer, Joe Harvey, on 01603 761122 or at [email protected].