A PRIMARY school team will get the chance to play at a Premier League football ground after qualifying for a national tournament.

St Margaret’s CE primary school in Whiteway Lane, Rottingdean has seen its year 6 mixed team beat competitors around the city and then Sussex, before taking on the best in the South East.

This means they are now off to the national finals in the Midlands against some of the best school teams across the country.

The team saw off schools in Brighton and Hove in October 2021, winning the small schools tournament held at Brighton College.

They then won the Sussex-wide tournament at Lancing FC in January, before finishing as runners up at the South East Regional Championships in London in March.

The next stage is the national tournament in the Midlands.

Rachel Kershaw, headteacher at St Margaret’s CE primary school, said she was “delighted” with the achievement of the year 6 team.

The Argus: From left, back row Harry Shooman, Ellison Sedge, Jack Rowden, Maeya-Staar Senaini, Albie Knight, Beau Lucas, Lily McCaw, Andy Jones. Front row from left, Danielle Fadairo, Teddy Griffiths, Oscar Burrows, Albie StevensonFrom left, back row Harry Shooman, Ellison Sedge, Jack Rowden, Maeya-Staar Senaini, Albie Knight, Beau Lucas, Lily McCaw, Andy Jones. Front row from left, Danielle Fadairo, Teddy Griffiths, Oscar Burrows, Albie Stevenson

She said: “The team are a huge credit to the school displaying outstanding teamwork, sportmanship and determination and everyone at St Margaret's is so proud of them! What a fantastic achievement for a village school in Rottingdean.”

“We are so proud of them, the fantastic year 6 mixed football team have been on quite a journey so far this year. Starting back in October 2021, they won the Brighton and Hove small schools football tournament held at Brighton College's grounds.

“This win meant the team represented all Brighton and Hove school's in the Sussex wide tournament held in January 2022 at Lancing FC.

"They won the Sussex tournament too, which in turn meant they were asked to attend the South East Regional Championships in London in March 2022, as the Sussex winners. 

“This was a great day out for the team, and a step up in the competitive level, playing teams from across the South East. The team came runners up overall on the day, which has secured them a place in the English School's National finals in May in the Midlands.

“This is usually played at a Premier League ground so they are looking forward to getting further details about this soon.”