Football is a popular and thriving sport at Gresham’s and is offered as an option to pupils in Years 11 to 13 in both Michaelmas and Lent terms. We are blessed with three full sized pitches that enable us to play regularly and operate several teams at U18 level. We are also starting an U15 team that will enter cup competitions only and train in the evenings, to get younger pupils introduced to the sport.
The first team is particularly competitive and has had successful seasons in recent years, including strong performances in our local independent school league and progression to the later stages of various national cup competitions.
Over the two terms, the first team will play over 20 matches including games in our Eastern Region Independent School Football League as well as national and local cup competitions. We enjoy positive relationships with many other schools and play regular fixtures against sides from Langley, Norwich School, The Perse, The Leys, Culford, Woodbridge, St Joseph’s, Felsted, Oundle, Wymondham College and St Felix School. Due to its popularity, we are also able to run a second team and we now have a Girls U18 football side also, playing fixtures against several different independent schools in what is becoming a rapidly growing sport. We are also able to run a more social option, where pupils can just play for enjoyment and not have to play competitively.
Training takes place three times a week and we focus on developing a variety of aspects of the game, with a keen focus on possession-based play in line with the philosophy of the English FA. We take pride in improving every pupil and helping them to find their place within the side they represent. The emphasis is very much on enjoyment of the game and allowing players to develop confidence in themselves and others around them, something that is evident from the growing number of pupils of all abilities that take part.