Year 6 football team from Upton

Footballers from Upton Juniors in Broadstairs are the first Thanet side invited to take part in the Football Futures Schools Festival at the Herne Bay Sports Hub.

The Year 6 team battled through the group stage of the tournament, winning two and drawing two matches, scoring three goals.

In the quarter finals the team stood firm with excellent defending to win with a late free kick with a minute left; in the semi-finals they won through on a penalty shoot-out after a 0-0 draw.

The final against Davington was a close game with Upton narrowly losing to the only goal of the match.

Callum Noble, Sports Coach and PE Lead, was pleased with the team’s performance.

He said: “To reach the final in our first appearance at this festival was a success and our team should be proud of its silver medals and runners up spot against some very strong sides from Canterbury, Ashford and Faversham.”

Head of School Darci Arthur added: “It is an honour that Upton is the first school in Thanet to be invited to take part in this festival and we were proud to represent the district.

“Our players were great ambassadors for our school and for primary sport in Thanet in general.”

Earlier this term the Upton girls footballers from Years 5 and 6 won the DW Cup and will represent Thanet in the Kent finals next year.