We were delighted to invite Ben Kelly, a gold medallist for Great Britain in the Disability Football World Championships, to our school assembly on Friday 18th September. Ben, along with David Wray of St Albans City Youth inspired both children and staff with a British football success story that actually involved penalty kicks! Ben coaches the St Albans Disability teams and was thrilled at his selection. However, the squad selection process occurred two prior to the tournament in order to enable a tough but rewarding training regime building up to the competition. Great Britain won their group and eventually made it through to the final, against Bangladesh. The final was a nail biting match that ended 3-3 after extra time and then went to penalties! The first seven penalties were all successful, so when Bangladesh missed their fourth penalty it was all down to Ben. He knew as he stepped up for the kick (in front of 60,000 people) that it would be gold if he scored. Ben scored from the spot and Great Britain were champions! Quite a story!
Our own football team have their very own penalty challenge when they face Fleetville on Saturday 19th September in the first round of the St Albans City Penalty Prize competition at Clarence Park. Why not come along and support the team. All of our children have vouchers for free entry and adults can get in for half price when they use the voucher. The St Albans City game (against Hayes & Yeading) kicks off at 3.00 p.m. Our school team will be taking their penalties during the half-time interval (3.45 p.m.)