Staffordshire Schools Football Association

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May 19, 2020

As one door closes another opens (hopefully)

Staffordshire SFA have called an end to season 19-20 due to the current pandemic. Teams who have reached the finals of the individual schools competitions will share the trophy and medals will be sent to schools when it is considered safe to do so. This is not a satisfactory conclusion to the season but the only one available and it is a model that has been used by the majority of the County associations nationwide.

What the future holds in the short term nobody knows but the County Association is planning for a resumption of activities for next season. This of course could be delayed and may not even happen but if and when a resumption is allowed then Staffordshire SFA will be ready.

Schools have been sent forms for entry into our individual schools competitions as well as nomination forms for the trials for the County sides next season. These have been duplicated below. It needs to made very clear that only teachers can nominate pupils for county trials, not clubs or parents. If there is a gifted and talented boy or girl who attends a school that is not actively involved in school football then the teacher in charge of PE needs to be approached to fill in the appropriate paperwork. Trials will only be held when it is safe to do so and unlike the past few seasons they will not be held prior to the autumn term.

The County Association hopes that all involved are staying safe and following the guidelines of social distancing to ensure that all involved in our great game remain healthy.

Below is the newsletter sent to schools today

Latest news

The unprecedented situation that we find ourselves in has led the officers of the Association to call an end to the current season. It remains to be seen if the U16 and U18 boys will be able to play their national finals, but the outlook is gloomy. The Individual Schools competitions have been abandoned. Teams who have reached the finals will be awarded medals for their players and the trophy will be shared, Arrangements will be made to deliver the medals to schools in due course.

Our boys who represented ESFA England U18’s will have to wait for the presentation of their caps and were disappointed that the Centenary Shield competition was abandoned.

Wolgarston U14 Boys reached the Quarter Finals of the national cup. Repton U14’s made the final of the small schools cup and their U18 reached the semi finals of the nationals before the competitions were halted.

You can all keep abreast of the workings of the Association by looking at the website staffordshireschoolsfa.org as well as following us on twitter.

In these uncertain times football is not top of the list of priorities but things will return to normal at some stage and when it does then it would be remiss of the Association not to be in a position to be prepared for the resumption of our great game.

Individual Schools Competitions 2020-21

I hope that I find you all safe and well in these unusual times. Trying to plan in schools’ football is extremely difficult but nowhere as difficult as the situation that you are going to encounter in a few weeks’ time if schools re-open in June. However, at some stage schools ‘football will restart, and we wish to be prepared to offer your school the opportunity of entering the Individual Schools competitions for next season.

I would like schools to fill in the entry form as usual and return it to me by email as soon as possible. There will be no need to send any payment for entries until such time that resumption can take place and only then will I invoice you for entry fees.

If the season is delayed until the new year, then I will look at new ways that we can play and organise our fixtures so that some competitive football is played during the season.

County Trials 20-21

Unlike previous seasons the trials will not be taking place prior to the end of the summer term. Again, depending upon the situation, the date for the trials will be circulated as soon as possible and when permission is granted for the resumption of football in schools. However, to enable the team managers and coaches to plan then nominations should be made on the attached forms. I would like to remind you that the standard is exceedingly high and last season saw unprecedented success with our teams, two reaching national finals. Thus, it is important that only boys and girls who are of a suitable standard are nominated.

There is no need to nominate players who were selected for their respective sides last season. It is almost certain that we do not see some of the most talented players so if your school has players of the required standard please do nominate them and give them the opportunity to represent their county. It would be unusual for a school to nominate more than two players from any one age group.

John Appleby

SSFA Secretary

Entry form

Name of School ……………………………………….. Telephone………………….

Name of Person i/c Football …………………………………..

E-Mail address ………………………………………

Under18 Boys Under 16 Boys Under 15 Boys

Under 14 Boys Under 13 Boys Under 12 Boys

Under 13 Girls Under 15 Girls Under 16 Girl

Under 11 Boys

Under 11 Girls

Please circle the competitions you wish to enter.

Send this form to jf.appleby@hotmail.co.uk

If competitions take place schools will be invoiced for entries at £11 per competition

County Trials nominations 20-21

Please only nominate outstanding players from each age group. It would be rare for a school to nominate more than two players per year group unless the school has an exceptional cohort. Schools will be informed of dates and times of trials when appropriate and asked to pass on the information to players and parents. This information will also appear on the website and on the twitter feed. Email contacts are preferred please.

U14 Boys Y 9 only

Name School Position