A Message to our U14 Football Supporters

A message from Mr Sanderson, Director of Sport:

Dear Truro School

Thank you for all the support you have given our U14 boys’ football team as they made School and Cornish history by becoming the first team from Cornwall to play in an ESFA (English Schools Football Association) final. The event was fitting of a team that has worked so hard to achieve something so special, not only this year, but throughout their time at the Senior School.

Thank you to our staff body for their well wishes and support throughout the week and to our pupils who have given the team confidence and shown their pride in seeing Truro School represented on the biggest national stage possible.

Thank you to all the travelling supporters, who made the long journey from Cornwall to the Hawthorns and back in a day, making the most noise of any school this week – and thank you to the music department for the drums!

Thank you to Mr Johnson and the School Leadership Team for enabling such a fantastic show of support. Their work ensured the day ran as close to a professional set-up as possible, giving our team the best chance of success in what was a truly special occasion.

A big thank you to the PE team – each and every one of you has played a part in helping this team achieve this milestone. Through lessons, clubs and practice of various sports, the foundations of sporting success never come from one specific area.

To the coaching team of Mr Barnet, Mr Sullivan and Mr Hooper, who have spent so many hours on the training paddock, with video analysis and 1:1 feedback, thank you. You have gone above and beyond, and your impact has been extraordinary. Mr Hooper deserves a special mention too. His care and his passion in building a football programme for our pupils is second to none. Football has never been so successful at Truro School, and we are seeing success from the 1st Year to the senior sides, with both boys and girls teams achieving a raft of historic firsts this year.

After the game, which Truro narrowly lost in the cruellest fashion, I was able to stand back and witness something special. How this team dealt with such heartbreak was something extremely powerful to watch. On the biggest day of their sporting lives so far, they produced an incredible performance and played superbly. In sport, victory is never guaranteed to the better side, but what I saw after the final whistle was even more powerful than any result.

With love and care for each other, they rallied around, shared tears and then lifted their heads high. They thanked the coaches. The officials. The supporters. Their families. They thanked and applauded Ludlow, as the trophy was lifted high in front of all who were watching. This team showed resilience, unity and incredible maturity and were the most outstanding ambassadors for our school. If ever there was a victory in defeat, the 30 minutes after the final whistle showed me that this team had achieved it.

I finish by saying a final thank you to the parents of this wonderful team, whether you travelled up or cheered from home. Watching you cheer for every player as though they were your own is something very special, and it makes a tremendous impact. Thank you for all of the miles you travel, the kind words you share with me about the staff and the school, and for your unwavering support of the team.

What an experience it has been for all involved. As we head into half term, there will be time to reflect on the magnitude of this achievement – and perhaps more importantly, we look forward to another exciting year ahead.

Congratulations to our U14 boys’ football team for being national finalists. We are so very proud of you.

Mr Sanderson