Sunderland Scholars celebrate first NFYL tournament win
Some of the country's top development sides contested the inaugural NFYL U19 Ladies Cup at St. George's Park.
Sunderland’s Foundation of Light's Ladies Football Scholarship team ran out winners.
Megan Elliott opened the scoring in the final against Swindon Town Football in the Community Trust before Emily Hutchinson doubled the lead.
The young Black Cats lifted the trophy after a memorable day which saw the girls score 11 goals without reply against Chelsea Foundation, Plymouth Argyle Community Trust and Burnley Shadow Youth Team in the group stages before defeating hosts Burton Albion Community Trust Ladies 3-0 in the semi-finals.
Sunderland Ladies Scholars coach, Steve McClarence, said: "The whole day was a brilliant experience for the girls.
"To play at St. George's Park in a National Tournament against good opposition is exactly what the girls need. They played some brilliant football, worked hard and as a result didn't concede a single goal all day.”
Derby U23s suffer narrow defeat
Derby County U23s will have to wait until the New Year to learn their Premier League International Cup fate after a 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb.
Mario Cuze grabbed the only goal to secure top spot for the away side as Darren Wassall’s team suffered their first defeat in Group C in their final game of 2017.
The Rams return to St. George’s Park to face Swansea City in Premier League Two on Monday 15 January.
Hammers at the Hilton
West Ham United stayed at St. George’s Park ahead of their trip to Stoke City.
David Moyes’ men fine-tuned their preparations before making the short journey down the A50.
Goals from Mark Noble and Diafra Sakho, either side of former Potter Marko Arnautovic’s strike sealed a 3-0 win for the East Londoners.
ISFA return for fifth time
ISFA [Independent Schools FA] made their fifth visit to St. George’s Park last month.
Despite adverse weather conditions, all their national representative teams including boys U18s, U16s, U15s, U14s and Girls U18s and U16s attended and competed.
Each squad visited for two days to train, play matches and enjoy the hydrotherapy facilities.
Among the opposing clubs and teams were Manchester City, Chesterfield, Burton Albion, Welsh Colleges, English Colleges and Scottish Independent Schools.
ISFA are the Independent Schools Association who oversee football tournaments across Independent Schools in the UK.
They have been visiting St. George’s Park each December since the site’s opening.
Soccer showcase success
St. George’s Park hosted the 17th annual FirstPoint USA 'Soccer Showcase' event during December.
The Showcase provides a unique opportunity for American coaches to scout and assess British and Irish players and determine who has what it takes to earn a prestigious soccer scholarship deal to a US college or university.
During the two-day event, St. George's Park played host to over 300 players, 76 American coaches, 17 staff, and hundreds of parents.
FirstPoint USA founder and Chief Executive, Andrew Kean, stated: “It was great to once again use such fantastic facilities at St. George's Park for our Annual Soccer Showcase event.
“The support from the St. George's Park team helped to make our 2017 Soccer Showcase our most successful ever.”
The organisation was developed in 2001 with assistance from the Prince’s Trust to assist 15 – 21-year-old sportsmen and women with their placement at American colleges and universities.
Former student-athletes include England forward Jamie Vardy, 2016 Masters Champion Danny Willett and HSBC Shanghai Masters Champion, Russell Knox.
K-League coaches
Coaches from South Korea’s K-League spent a week at St. George’s Park.
The trip enabled some of South Korea’s top-performing coaches to enjoy a football experience encompassing a basic strategic approach to the England DNA and coaching delivered here in the UK.
FA coaches delivered tailor- made experiences out on the grass while classroom sessions on other fundamental elements of the modern game, including analysis, were also incorporated into the programme.
Grassroots Conference
St. George’s Park hosted the 2017 grassroots conference.
The event was designed to provide learners with a platform to discuss and understand the modern game, with a specific focus on the fundamentals of the England DNA.
Coaches from across the nation came together to network and share ideas.
Head of grassroots Les Howie, technical director Dan Ashworth, MU19 head coach Paul Simpson and England Women’s player and coach developer Marieanne Spacey all presented, answered questions while a host of workshops also took place.
