Sony Sponsors English School Football Association Tournament

Sony Computer Entertainment UK and the English Schools’ Football Association (ESFA) have announced the creation of the PlayStation Schools’ Cup, view the result of a partnership between the entertainment giant and football association.

Murray Pannell, discount PlayStation UK Marketing Director, ask said of the new partnership: “We are delighted to partner with the ESFA to deliver the PlayStation Schools’ Cup tournaments to close to 2,000 schools and an estimated 100,000 youngsters…We recognised that working with the ESFA would help increase the number of schools that benefit from our support”.

Pannell also emphasised the inclusiveness of the new grassroots programme, saying: “It is important for us that both boys and girls teams from ranging abilities will enjoy the honour of representing their school”.

Furthermore, the group has announced the E-Reporter competition which will allow young journalists to hone their skills. New details about this secondary competition will be announced soon.

ESFA Chief Executive, John Read, explained the impact that the competition will have on school sport, saying: “This partnership with PlayStation means we have all the ingredients in place to make a real difference at a grassroots level, delivering a professional structure for children to enjoy playing football.”

The PlayStation Schools’ Cup road-show will be travelling to a selection of schools throughout England to host football events at up to 10 different locations as part of the tournament, which will have its U-12 to U-15 secondary schools’ finals take place at the PlayStation Schools’ Cup Festival in May 2014.