SCHOOLS from a Bristol academy federation got together for their own festival of football.
The inaugural Big Kick Off tournament brought together young athletes from across the Cabot Learning Federation for a five-a-side competition promoting sportsmanship, teamwork, and skill.
Mixed teams of boys and girls from Frome Vale Academy, Minerva Academy and Summerhill Academy took part in the primary school tournament.
Hillfields-based Minerva Academy won the contest, edging a nail-biting final against Summerhill Academy 1-0.
The afternoon session featured teams from John Cabot Academy, Hanham Woods Academy, Bristol Brunel Academy, and King’s Oak Academy in an intense battle for the secondary title.
It was Hanham Woods Academy who clinched the championship, with John Cabot Academy finishing runners up in a round robin format.The competition was organised and delivered by CLF Post-16 students as part of their academic coursework, and held at JCA in Kingswood.
Bristol City’s teenage forward Ephraim Yeboah was a special guest at the event.
The former Summerhill Academy pupil signed a professional contract with City two years ago, aged 16, and made his debut a month later, having been recruited from the Bristol Inner City Football Academy in Easton as a 15-year-old prospect in 2021.
A CLF spokesperson said Ephraim inspired the players with words of encouragement. .A special HEART Award – to represent the federation’s “High expectations, Equity, All children, Resilience and Togetherness” values – was presented to the schools judged to have best demonstrated fair play, sportsmanship and camaraderie in each age group.
Frome Vale Academy won the primary award and Bristol Brunel Academy the secondary award.
JCA PE teacher Martin Horsell said: “It was fantastic to see so many young people coming together and showing passion and respect both on and off the pitch. The atmosphere was brilliant and the students who organised the event did an outstanding job. This is what sport is all about – community, challenge, and celebration.”