As the spring term draws to a close, it’s a good time to reflect on what has been an eventful term of football at Bryanston.
Now into only its second year as a core sport at Bryanston, the football programme is making good strides, and this season has brought several highlights that should rightfully be celebrated on our journey.
Despite the wet and cold weather conditions trying its best to dampen our spirits, over 60 fixtures took place across both the Senior (Year 11-13) and Junior (Year 9-10) boys’ and girls’ teams, with over 200 pupils participating in varying levels of football provision.
The boys’ teams at Senior and Junior age groups were entered into the South West Independent Schools (SWIS) leagues for the first time, and the Senior girls team were one of five founding member schools to partake in a newly formed Girls SWIS league.
Our aim is always to provide an enjoyable football experience, and entry into these leagues has added an extra element of competition throughout the season.
Whilst we recognise that we are in the early stages of developing our football identity as a school, our Juniors have experienced a good first introduction to football at Bryanston. Training sessions centred around developing technique and game understanding has been at the forefront of our delivery. Pupils have shown good progress with their performances.
Over 40 girls across Juniors and Seniors participated in regular football at varying levels this term, representing Bryanston in both girls’ and boys’ fixtures. The girls’ 1st team has gone from strength to strength in their debut season in the Girls SWIS league, winning 4 of their 7 fixtures and showing a real camaraderie and fighting spirit which we hope will inspire more girls to take part in the future.
The Senior boys’ 2nd and 3rd teams had good seasons also, unbeaten in 9 of their combined 14 fixtures, with many Year 11s competing in their first year of Senior football and setting a good precedent to build upon over the next couple of years.
However, it is the Senior boys’ 1st Team who have taken the headlines after an excellent season, finishing unbeaten in 11 games (10 wins and 1 draw) culminating in a superb 2-1 win under the floodlights at Sherborne Town FC, crowning them Winners of the U18 South West Independent Schools League in their debut season.
Amassing 42 goals in all competitions with some fantastic team and individual play, the boys’ 1st team have also reached the semi-final of the Dorset Schools County Cup for the second consecutive year, to be played at Bryanston on Wednesday 17 April at 4pm versus Bournemouth School. Please feel free to come and support them as they push for a place in the final and the chance to win a second piece of silverware!
This is an incredible achievement which demonstrates the hard work, commitment, and footballing talent that we have at Bryanston already. As we continue to grow and develop our football offering, we hope to attract more young and enthusiastic footballers to experience our programme and wider school life.
To find out more about the football programme at Bryanston or enquire about Bryanston sport scholarships, please contact Head of Football, Mark Foster. Email: [email protected]
Mark Foster
Head of Football
