Millfield footballers selected for national ISFA sides

Millfield students have been selected for the national Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA) teams.

Eleven Millfield footballers have been recognised within their respective age groups. Upper Sixth Theo Mara and Lower Sixth Ben Harcourt-Harrison were selected for the U18s, Lower Sixth Ted Gibbs and Year 11 Arthur Nasta were selected for the U17s and Year 11 Morgan Jones was selected for the U16 side. Upper Sixth Ella Smith, Clarissa Jackson, Lower Sixth Lauren Pickup, Maya Kendell have been selected for the U18 squad and Lily Macfarlane has been selected for the reserves whilst Year 10 Elena Martinez Chamorro is playing for the U16s. The players have attended a series of rigorous trials to be selected into an elite group of just 18 per age group.

The Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA) are a nationwide organisation who deliver a football programme for aspiring footballers including development camps and matches against professional clubs at prestigious stadiums around the country.

Upper Sixth Clarissa has previously played in the U16 ISFA squad for two years before being selected for the U18s this year. Her involvement with football started at a young age, playing at the age of 4 in Hong Kong and coming through the ranks of the Somerset Advanced Coaching Centre, representing the South West as well as the South West & East regions in a national youth festival.

She said, “We had our first camp in Cambridge where we played Cambridge City U18s. The highlight of the ISFA calendar so far was the December camp at St George’s Park, England’s training ground, where we trained and played two matches against This Girl Kicks and English Colleges (ECFA). The facilities were phenomenal and it was a real privilege to play there.”

Lower Sixth Ted is a boarder in one of our country houses. As well as playing in Millfield football’s 1st XI, the attacking midfielder/striker plays for Bridgwater.

He said, “Millfield’s football coaches helped me remain confident even when I felt as if I didn’t have a good game. They made sure I believed in myself and proved to ISFA I am good enough to play for them.”

The boys side have recently played schools in Sussex and South London. They have a fixture in Edinburgh this month and will be attending a training camp in Nottingham.

Director of Football, Steve Perkins, said, “It is a real delight to see so many young footballers performing nationally for ISFA. It is a fantastic programme to aid players’ development and growth whilst training at the home of football, St Georges Park. Congratulations to all.”

Millfield boys and girls football teams are currently in the quarter finals of the English Schools Football Association (ESFA) cup and the girls have also made the quarter finals of the ISFA cup. The girls next ISFA match will be played on Thursday 27 January against Ardingly.

Millfield football is thriving with over 40 boys competing for a spot in the competition squad and 80 girls which make up 15 different teams across the year groups.