St Barnabas Trust Football Competitions

Football is more than just a game; it is a powerful tool for building confidence, teamwork, and resilience. Our Trust is proud to launch the Annual Football Competition Series, a celebration of sport that brings together students from across our region. To ensure every child gets the most out of the experience, we have structured our events into two geographical hubs and age-appropriate formats.

Two Hubs, One Goal

To minimise travel time and maximise playtime, the competition is divided into two distinct regions. Depending on your school’s location, your team will compete in one of the following hubs:

• East Cornwall Hub: Utilising the fantastic facilities at Callington Community College.
• Mid Cornwall Hub: Centered around the professional-grade surfaces at Callywith College.

While most hub events take place on high-quality all-weather AstroTurf, some fixtures may be hosted on our lush school fields to give students a varied playing experience.

Key Stage 1: The Skills Festival

For our youngest athletes in Years 1 and 2, the focus is purely on fun and discovery. We believe that at this age, the pressure of a ‘win or lose’ scoreboard can detract from the joy of the sport.

The KS1 events are Festival based, featuring:

• Skill Zones: Fun drills focused on dribbling, passing, and ball mastery.
• Friendly Fixtures: Short, non-competitive games against other schools where the primary goal is having a go.
• Participation Focus: Every child is encouraged to try different positions and learn the basics of teamwork in a supportive environment.

Key Stage 2: Develop & Compete

As children move into Years 3 through to 6, the program evolves. While we never lose sight of skill development, we introduce a healthy competitive element.

The KS2 events balance two main pillars:

1. Skill Progression: Pre-match workshops to sharpen skills and teamwork.
2. Tournament Play: A structured format where teams play against a variety of schools within their hubs. This encourages children to apply their skills under pressure, handle the emotions of winning and losing gracefully, and represent their school with pride.

Our Philosophy: More Than Just Winning

Across both hubs and all age groups, our Trust prioritises Sportsmanship, Effort, and Respect. Whether on the AstroTurf at Callywith or a grassy field in Callington, the goal is for every student to leave with a smile, a new skill, and a sense of achievement.