STRATFORD Town will host Warwickshire County Schools Football Association (WCSFA) inter-county matches and inter-schools competition finals as part of a new partnership.
Run entirely by volunteers, WCSFA is operating five representative teams this year, each drawn from the best players at schools across the county following a rigorous trials process held at Stratford Town – under-14, under-15 and under-16 boys, and under-14 and under-16 girls.
Each team will compete in a league competition against other Midlands counties, run by the Midland Counties Schools Football Federation. The under-14 and under-16 girls, and under-14 and under-16 boys’ teams will also compete in national knockout competitions run by the English Schools FA.
Stratford will also host the finals of inter-schools competitions run by WCSFA at under-12, under-14 and under-16 girls and boys, as they did during the 2023-24 season.
Stratford chairman, Jed McCrory, said: “It saddened me when I found out County football is struggling around the country with a lack of funding and support to allow our children to represent their community and bring pride to themselves and their families which may be the only representative football that many players will experience.
“As a community football club we want county representation to be truly aspirational and to give as many players as possible the opportunity to play at Stratford Town by representing their school or county.
“Youth football is thriving here at Stratford Town and many of our players will also be representing Warwickshire Schools this season.
“Through our academy and other initiatives, we offer all players the chance to develop their ability through top-quality coaching and playing opportunities alongside accredited education programmes.”
WCSFA chairman, Luke Bull, added: “Having a single venue which is able to accommodate all the matches our representative teams will be playing is something that many counties can only dream of, so we are delighted to have agreed this partnership with Stratford Town.
“The club’s support is enabling us to run the maximum five representative teams for what we believe is the first time ever for Warwickshire. Our players are now starting their league and cup programmes, and we are looking forward to a busy and successful season ahead.”
Stratford’s coaches will offer coaching sessions in schools county-wide, they will also donate match kits for the two new county teams – the under-14 and under-16 boys.
