Football
Football has been played on the King's College site since 1864, when teachers and students would combine to play local teams. Football at King's is an important part of school life, offering many opportunities on and off the pitch, with the emphasis focused on participation and development.
Competitive fixtures are played during the Lent term through participation in the Independent Schools FA Mercian League and ISCA Cup competitions, and we regularly put out 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Under 16 and Under 15 boys' teams. Boys' football is also offered as a second sport option in the Michaelmas term, when Futsal is also available.
Girls' football is available as a second sport option in the Michaelmas and Lent terms, and King's girls compete in the Independent Schools South West and National six-a-side tournaments, entering Under 15 and Under 18 teams. Our Under 15 girls in particular have enjoyed conspicuous success, with consecutive titles in the South West tournament in both 2009 and 2010, and a King's girl represented English Independent Schools Under 18s against Australia in 2010.
Girls' and boys' teams are supported and guided by fully qualified coaches and staff. Off the pitch our pupils can attend leadership camps and gain coaching and refereeing qualifications through close links with the Independent Schools Football Association, providing excellent personal development opportunities.
December 2010 saw our first pre-season tour, when we travelled to Valencia in preparation for the 2011 Lent term campaign.
All are welcome to participate in football at King's, with the only expectation being that, as with all King's College sport, players show appropriate commitment and a willingness to learn and develop. Above all though, our pupils definitely enjoy their football!
"Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do."
Edison "Edson" Arantes do Nascimento (Pele)
Visit the 1st XI's Valencia Facebook page by clicking here.
Suwi Chabale, one of our visiting South African exchange pupils, wrote this about football at King's:
"I came to King's College not knowing what to expect, and when we were asked to pick a sport I chose football. Before I came here I had not played a game of football, except for messing around with friends. The guys I played and trained with were very welcoming, always having fun and giving their best. Although we may not have won any of our games it's an experience I won't forget. Some highlights of mine were scoring a goal against Monmouth and taking bus trips before games which brought the vibe for our games. I'd like to thank all the coaches and team mates for this time I spent with them."
Lent 2012
As a part of our continuing partnership with the Independent Schools FA (ISFA) and British Universities and Colleges Sports (BUCS), King's football will be supported by top quality coaching for the 2012 season.
Grace McCatty is an England Under 23 international who joins King's for a second year to deliver football to our girls. Grace completed her BA (Hons) in Coach Education and Sports Development at the University of Bath. A player with Bristol Academy WFC competing in the FA Women's Super League, Grace is also Filton College Community Sports Development Officer and a coach at the BAWFC Centre of Excellence.
Bradley Miles is an FA Level 2 Coach who has worked with youth and academy players at Blackpool FC under manager Ian Holloway. He has also played for Blackpool FC reserves, and continues to play university football. A former pupil of Marlborough College, he is now in his first year at Exeter University studying Economics with Mandarin.
Ryan Zhang is an FA Level 1 Coach keen to widen his coaching experience. Having completed his studies in his native China, Ryan is currently studying for his MSc in Sports Science at Exeter University. Ryan's other sports include table tennis and taekwondo. He plans to use his football experiences back home in China, where football is one of the fastest growing sports.
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- I love my time at King's and find it a fantastic school to be part of. Meiling
- Personally I think King's has some of the nicest people. Annie
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- The sport at King's is very good and at a high standard. Meiling
- When I was at my prep school I always thought of King's as a school where there were more opportunities and I was completely right. Jamie
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- It's amazing. The teachers are brilliant, they are so friendly and enthusiastic. I just want to learn here. Leo