Country Wales Founded 2007 | Confederation WSFA Number of teams 18 | |
Divisions Bridgend Schools FA Premiership
Bridgend Schools FA Championship Domestic cup(s) Bridgend Schools Challenge Cup
Bridgend Schools Challenge Plate | ||
The Bridgend Schools Football Association (Welsh: Cymdeithas Bêl-droed yn ysgol Pen-y-Bont) (BSFA) is the governing body of association football in Bridgend Schools. The association has the ultimate responsibility for the control and development of football for schools in Bridgend County.
Contents
It runs numerous competitions, the most well-known of which is the annual FA Challenge Cup. Corneli Primary School are the current champions of this competition after winning the final in March 2009. It is also responsible for appointing the management structure of the Bridgend County teams at various age levels.
Formation
The association was formed in July 2007 as the "Bridgend Schools Football League" and became the first unified football league to run in Bridgend for schools. The association was the brain child of school football coaches Alex Clarke & Iain Ashton, who wanted to improve the level of football in Bridgend County.
The first season consisted of six schools. Since then, the number has grown over 3 times that, with 20 schools currently participating in the association's various competitions.
Since its inception, both league titles have been won by Corneli Primary School. Corneli Primary have also represented the Bridgend County in the final of the Welsh Schools Cup, playing the final at the Cardiff City Stadium - the first ever game to be held at the new ground.
After the first two seasons, the league has split into two divisions. These are known as the Premiership and the Championship. Schools who finish bottom of the Premiership are relegated to the Championship and the winning school in the Championship will be promoted to the Premiership.
Some schools only participate in the Cup competitions, of which there are two. The BSFA Challenge Cup and the BSFA Plate. The Challenge Cup Final is held on a weekend at a neutral ground and is held as a real FA Cup final - players have to respect the cup protocol and wear shirts and ties to the event which is watched by several dignitaries.
Cup Champions
*Porthcawl Primary School won their semi-final against Nottage Primary School on penalties, but were unable to field a team for the final.
Achievements
Joseph Jones, captain of Corneli Primary in 2007/08, was successful in getting into the Ipswich Town FC setup in February 2010.
Alex Clarke was nominated for the Welsh Schools Coach of the Season award after he took his team to 7 titles in 2 seasons. (07/08, 08/09).