AFC Bournemouth
The annual Premier League Schools tournament, now named the Premier League Primary Stars tournament, returned to Bournemouth this week.
Competing for the chance to represent the Cherries in May, in either the under-11 mixed or under-11 girls category, over 75 school teams entered the local competition.
This year’s Primary Stars tournament is set to be hosted at the home of the 2015/16 Premier League champions, Leicester City.
The schools representing AFC Bournemouth will play their group fixtures against those representing Chelsea, Brighton, Leicester and Newcastle United on 23rd May 2018.
Spread over two days, the under-11 mixed competition engaged with 45 different schools from Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and the surrounding areas. The six-a-side tournament saw a total of 360 players from the 45 teams compete to a find a winner.
Muscliff Primary School came out on top during the first tournament, with Christchurch Junior School crowned winners of the second tournament. The two schools now look to play each other in a grand final for the prize of representing the Cherries at the King Power Stadium in May.
Over 240 girls, from 30 primary school, turned out for the under-11 girls category. A busy morning at the Littledown Centre saw Baden Powell crowned champions in a dramatic 2-1 victory over St. Katharine’s Primary School, with a winning goal in extra-time.
Following the tournaments, head of community Steve Cuss commented: “We are delighted with this season’s school involvement, with 75 schools participating in the Premier League Primary Stars tournament and over 600 children enjoying playing football.
“The tournaments were a huge success and we look forward to working with the winning schools in the build up to the fixtures at Leicester City in May.”
Flick through the gallery above to see the best of the tournament's action!
