A fine football double act

Congratulations to Wetherby Senior pupils Tommy and Yousif, who have been selected to represent our School by a prestigious national football association.

Currently in Year 9, both boys were put forward by Wetherby Senior’s Sport Department to try out for the Independent Schools Football Association (IFSA) national squad. This meant Tommy and Yousif travelled to Berkshire last month, to take part in the Under 15 National Representative Team Trials at Slough Town FC stadium.

Tommy explained: “At our team trials day, we were randomly put in different squads, made up of 12 players, and teams then took part in matches against each other. The team that Yousif was assigned to went first! However, I’d injured my foot quite badly at training, just a few days beforehand, so was quite relieved when my team didn’t have to play straightaway, since it gave me longer to stretch and warm up!”

Yousif added: “We didn’t find out on the day if we had been selected but received an email about a week later. Now we get to go to the IFSA summer camp, where we take part further training and more matches. From this, the ISFA will select players to join their first squad, which competes against football academies and other youth teams.”

Mr Tucker, from Wetherby Senior’s Sport Department, was instrumental in putting both Tommy and Yousif forward for these IFSA team trials. He said: “We were all delighted and proud to hear that Tommy and Yousif had been selected by the IFSA. This is a fantastic opportunity for both boys to showcase their football talents, and I’m sure they will do a brilliant job representing Wetherby Senior.”

Tommy and Yousif were also full of praise for Wetherby Senior sports staff. Tommy said: “We have really great coaches and teachers at Wetherby Senior, and I’d particularly like to thank Mr Tucker and Mr Stokoe for the support and time they have given us”. Yousif echoed Tommy’s words: “I’d also like to thank to Wetherby Senior’s Sport Department for putting us both forward for what promises to be a great opportunity.”

Affiliated to the Football Association, the IFSA is recognised by the FA as the body responsible for development of the game in the independent sector. It has a long and respected history, with one of its most distinguished “old boys” being former Chelsea star, Frank Lampard.