Mary Hare School lift senior trophy at ESFA deaf schools’ finals

Mary Hare School has lifted the senior trophy in a national football competition.

The English Schools’ Football Association (ESFA) deaf schools’ finals, which took place in Derby last month, featured nine different secondary schools and pupils through from years 7 to 11.

Mary Hare secured the senior boys’ title, while Heathlands School in St Albans lifted the junior trophy and Royal School for the Deaf Derby won the girls’ competition.

Head of PE at Mary Hare Cheryl Colby said: “The school were delighted to take part in a day of football which encouraged children to compete with other schools.

“We are proud that that we have secured the senior title.”

The event saw five-a-side teams play short five-minute matches in a round-robin format, before winners and runners up of the initial groups went on to the finals.

The trophies were presented by Chris Gordon, a member of the England powerchair football squad, and Neil Hope MBE, the RAF rep on the FA Council; both are members of the FA disability committee.

ESFA chairman Mark Hignett said: “Hosting the deaf schools’ finals is an activity the ESFA is proud to support season on season.

“It has been a great opportunity to bring this activity to the forefront and tie it in with the ESFA’s Schools’ Football Week campaign.

“We hope that promoting this event will encourage other schools for deaf and hearing impaired pupils to take part in future years.

“On behalf of the ESFA, I would like to once again congratulate the senior team from Mary Hare School on their competition win.”