This week we seen a big new golden trophy enter Stanley High as our Year 9/10 Futsal team were crowned the 2023 Merseyside Champions! This was the first time boys from our school football team came together as a futsal team and take part in the tournament, which was held at Wavertree Sports Centre on Monday.

Stanley were placed in Group B which consisted of Bluecoat B, Oldershaw, King David, Chesterfield and Notre Dame schools. I am delighted that we came out as clear group winners, proving that we were the strongest team in the group by winning four games and drawing one.

The semi-final saw Stanley drawn against Bluecoat A who were runners up of the other group. After going 1-0 down, the boys showed fantastic resilience and took control of the game to win 3-1. The final saw the two consistently strongest teams face off as Stanley came up against Calday Grange Grammar, who were the winners of Group A. We knew this was going to be a tough game, but we took an early 1-0 lead and as time ticked by Calday piled on the pressure and equalised to make it 1-1 with only five minutes 3 left on the clock. The game looked like it was going to penalties only for the Stanley captain Corey to break through and score the winning goal with 30 seconds remaining. The final whistle blew, and Stanley were ecstatic!

Stanley’s performances were outstanding in each of the games they played. Every single one of the boys stepped up and worked together on the pitch to play some excellent futsal. It was amazing to see the boys get behind each other as they were motivating each other to play at the top of their game!

Mr Venables and the rest of the PE department would like to say a huge congratulations for their success and a massive well done. Hopefully in 2024 Stanley will regain their crown and win it again!