THE Year 10 football team’s run to the national cup final brought the whole of Winterbourne International Academy together, according to PE teacher Anthony Hopkins.
 

Although they were soundly beaten in the final by Burnley-based school Blessed Trinity, the Academy could still reflect on a remarkable achievement.
 

It was the first time a team from the school – as either The Ridings or Winterbourne International Academy – had reached the final of the competition and 189 students, along with 13 teachers and parents, travelled up to Derby County’s Pride Park stadium to watch.
 

For an hour of the gruelling encounter Winterbourne were right in the mix and even had numerous chances to score.
 

Anthony Hopkins, who has been a PE teacher at the school for 11 years, said: “It’s funny how one excellent team of decent young men can amalgamate an entire school and give us a feeling that we are all together as one, and a feeling of immense pride that we have all come together in such a tremendous way.
 

“It was nice to be part of history. To be ranked as the one of the best two school teams in England is still incredible and brings much honour to Winterbourne International Academy.
 

“Their attitude was very good and they listened and played how I want them to play. They were brave enough to look after each other and run themselves into the ground.”
 

Winterbourne were slow to get their free flowing style of play going against a very strong team, but managed to carve out the odd chance through patches of decent play in the final third.
 

After being 1-0 down at half time, Winterbourne started brightly in the second half with Jacob Spence hitting the post.
 

Winterbourne pushed players forward in search of an equalising goal but Blessed were awarded very soft penalty totally against the run of play when a cross ended up hitting the hand of defender Ross Sharpe and the spot kick was converted to make the score 2-0.
 

Winterbourne then capitulated after conceding the second goal and conceded a further three on the break.
 

Hopkins added: “It could’ve gone our way on a different day but things went against us and we had to swallow it.
 

“I would just like to say thank you to my players for giving me so much pleasure along this journey.
 

“Thank you also to the management of the Academy for supporting us in every way possible.”

Woodcock Shield: Winterbourne IA 6 Fairfield High School 0
WINTERBOURNE International Academy are the latest winners of Bristol’s famous Woodcock Shield.
 

The team of Year 10 boys beat off opponents Fairfield  with an impressive victory at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate Stadium.
 

Man of the match, Brad Hardidge scored four goals, while captain Olly Mehew, son of former Bristol Rovers player David Mehew, contributed with two goals. 
 

The shield was presented to Mehew by Bob Boyd, a former Bristol City director.
 

Fifty years ago, the shield had been presented to Boyd and his winning team, Bristol Technical Engineers.
 

Winterbourne IA:  Chris Cooke, Will Partridge, Marcus Beauchamp, Jacob Spence, Dan Kerton, Aaron Upton, Jacob Maddox, Tom Curnock, Ross Sharpe, Ollie Mehew (c), Brad Hardage, Ajay Golding, Jamie Studley, Tom Chamberlain

Bristol & South Gloucestershire Cup Girls’ U14s Final: Winterbourne IA 1 The Castle School 0
IN THEIR first season as an amalgamation of three age groups – Years 7, 8 and 9 – together, Winterbourne International Academy Girls football team, won the Bristol and South Gloucestershire cup.
 

The first half was contested with real vigour and Winterbourne grew in confidence against a very strong Castle School outfit.
 

The break through finally came in the second half after some strong defensive work snuffed out a Castle attack, the midfield pressed forward and a quality cross resulted in a first time strike by Ellie Aitkinson which rifled into the net.
 

With 15 minutes to play both teams had opportunities to score but Winterbourne continued to battle hard until the final whistle.
 

Winterbourne IA: Charlotte Daly, Rosie Williams, Emily Wilkinson, Molly Harris, Maya Prowse Hall, Rebecca Walding, Jess Jefferies, Ellie Aitkinson, Ruby Michael, Ellie Michael, Erin Lloyd, Harriet Lambe, Rhianne Oakley, Eleanor Child, Bertie Tremlin, Holly Reed.