YOUNG footballers have scored the right to represent Barnsley - and themselves a Young Champions nomination.
The team from Lacewood Primary school, Bolton-on-Dearne, earned a place in the northern finals of the EFL Kids Cup after winning two tournaments at Oakwell stadium.
It means they will don the Barnsley kit to take on other teams from across the north, such as Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United and Middlesborough in the Leeds event in March. If they are successful there, they will head to Wembley Stadium next for the Championship final.
But Ryan Hallsworth, the school’s behaviour support adviser, said it is not just their skill with the ball which stands out.
He said: “They’ve got everybody in the community talking about it. As a school we take sport quite seriously and we are really proud of them, they have been excellent. Every time they have been for a day at Oakwell they have done really well. But it is not just their ability which stands out. It is their attitude too, to getting better and improving themselves. They have been fantastic and a pleasure to coach.”
The team is made up from students from years four to six.
“It is a mixed age group but they have got fantastic team spirit, which is something we preach to them. Obviously we love it when they achieve and win but no matter what, the minimum requirement we ask of them is a superb attitude and spirit and they have it every time.
“They will be wearing the Barnsley kit and playing against other northern teams, which have some fantastic young players. Scouts turn up on the day to watch too because it is a good place to spot up and comers.
“The team is really looking forward to it. It will be a good test for them against some players because a lot there will be part of academys.
“Before last week they didn’t even train, they just played at lunchtimes. But since they have done so well and because they are in the Totty Cup too, we have just started training properly after school on Tuesdays. And we have to say thanks to the Dearne ALC who are letting us use their facilities for free.”
