ACS Cobham win gold at the world school games

ACS Cobham International School Girls Soccer team won gold in dramatic style at the World School Games in Dubai last month, defeating reigning champions St. Saviours 1-0 after extra time. 

 

The World School Games is an annual multi-sport three day event for U11 students from schools across the world. The 2019 edition included competitors from Bahrain, Greece, Holland, India, Spain, Russia, Spain and the United Arab Emirates, with ACS Cobham representing the UK.

ACS Cobham finished top of the table after impressive wins against the Grange School (Nigeria), GEMS Academy (India) and CIS (Nigeria) in the group stages. The Cougars then progressed through the knock-outs with comfortable wins over GEMS FPP and JESS Dubai from the UAE in the Quarter and Semi-Finals. 

The Cougars demonstrated great technical ability and composure throughout the tournament and this was no less the case in the final against St. Saviours, reigning champions from Nigeria. A brilliant goal in extra-time by Tournament MVP and Golden Boot winner, Natalie Vernier, won ACS Cobham the gold medal on its debut in the competition, sparking jubilant celebrations at full-time.

Adam Hoult, Lower School PE teacher and team manager, was full of praise for his fledgling squad:

We are extremely proud of how our girls team performed throughout the tournament in winning this prestigious event in Dubai. They were unfazed on the big stage and played some quality football. It has been an enriching experience for our younger students to travel and compete against schools from different countries.

 

Babis Mamas, Head of Sport at ACS Cobham, said:

The achievements at The World School Games, as well as U15 and U18 Girls soccer teams both progressing to the ISFA Semi-Finals demonstrates that there is a clear pathway for our students to participate, enjoy and excel at sports.