Whitworth Community High School's Year 11 boys football team achieved a double triumph by winning both the Rossendale Premier League and the Champions Cup trophies. This marks the third time that Will Cawley, Head of PE at Whitworth, has organized the Rossendale football leagues and cups for high school students. This year, the competition was expanded to include Girls U13s and U15s teams.
Whitworth retained the Year 11 trophy, sponsored by Inspire Sport, with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School (BRGS), although the match was keenly contested. All games were played at Whitworth Valley Football Club, with sponsors providing referees and two linesmen.
Mr. Cawley commented: "We had seven different sponsors that made this all happen. Every participant received a medal, sponsored by Ormerod Plumbing and Heating, while Muldoon Financial Planning sponsored plaques for the trophies and also made sure they had been cleaned before presentation."
Other Year Group Finals
In the Year 7 final, sponsored by Rossendale PVC Systems, BRGS beat Whitworth 1-0 in a very tight match. The Year 8 final, sponsored by M Ashworth Contracting, saw Alder Grange come out on top 1-0 against Haslingden High School. Joshua Laws sponsored the Year 9 match, where BRGS lost 6-2 to Alder Grange. The Year 10 trophy, sponsored by Inspire Sport, was won by BRGS against Alder Grange, but the match went to penalties.
Girls' Cup Matches Introduced
Two girls' Cup matches were introduced this year for U13s and U15s, both sponsored by Jute Sports. The U13 girls from BRGS beat The Valley Leadership Academy 5-0, while in the U15s final, Whitworth beat BRGS 4-2. Mr. Cawley noted: "It was the first time I have had one of my football teams play in glitter and with matching ribbons. The Whitworth girls were 2-0 down at half-time, but they showed great determination to win the cup 4-2."
Mr. Cawley added: "We have had more than 100 games played in the leagues and cup, and all six high schools have taken part with some league games still to be played. I would like to thank all of the sponsors who have donated a total of £900 to enable us to put the cup matches on. Playing the matches at Whitworth Valley gives them the sense of really representing their school and being a part of the team. It has been great to expand what we started two years ago and next year we would like to include primary schools as well."
