With the World Cup reminding us how powerful teamwork, resilience and belief can be, Fairfax Academy’s U16 squad has been celebrating a season that showcased those same qualities in abundance – and thanking the Sutton Coldfield hospital whose support helped set them up for success.
Fairfax’s all-conquering Under-16 team won an extraordinary 24 out of 25 games this season, becoming County, City and Sutton/Erdington champions, as well as lifting the Birmingham Super Cup.
On Friday 12 June, the team made a presentation of their own when they gave a signed, framed shirt to the Vesey Private Hospital, which donated £1,500 to pay for the new kits that inspired their success.
Accepting the shirt, Ben Royal, Registered Manager at the hospital, said: “We were delighted to sponsor the team at Fairfax because supporting sport among young people is very important to us.
“It encourages a healthy, active lifestyle, which is essential in preventing disease and allows people to live long, fulfilling lives.”
The hospital’s Sports and Exercise Medicine team has followed the boys’ progress closely.
Ben added: “I went to the Birmingham Cup Final at Bodymore Heath, where Fairfax beat Arthur Terry. It was a really good, competitive game and I enjoyed meeting the players afterwards, who were great characters.
“Now we have a spot in our reception area where we’re going to display the framed kit with pride!”
Goalkeeper Easham Sharma, 16, said: “The kit really made a difference because it helped us feel pride in the team. We all played for the badge together.”
As well as lifting four local titles, the Fairfax team also made it to the quarter‑finals of the National Cup.
Striker Remiah Allen, 16, said: “It was a great season, which we’ll always remember. We had a lot of games to play, because we were in so many competitions – sometimes two matches in a week – but everyone worked hard together. It was a real team effort.”
Captain Ben Roberts, who plays at centre-half, said: “I’m very proud of what we achieved as a team. We didn’t know what to expect going into the season, but we had real belief in our abilities and gave it everything we had.
“There’s a chemistry in the team and determination too. Taking part in sport at school like this is really important, because it builds your character. I think we showed that this season.”
Fairfax Academy is renowned as a rugby school, so the boys’ football success was particularly special.
Winger Dejoughn Huggan-Allen said, “Fairfax is known for its rugby, but we always wanted to play football, so we talked to Mr Castle and Mr Trowman and they agreed to set up the team – and we haven’t looked back since then.
“The school has really supported us by allowing us to travel to games, and we had great coaching, including set-piece coaching.”
With home games hosted by Sutton United Football Club, the players enjoyed first‑class facilities and a professional‑standard pitch, helping them reach the quarter‑finals of the National Cup.
Principal and U16s Manager, Sean Castle, said: “It was great to round off an amazing season by thanking the Vesey Private Hospital, because it was their donation that ensured it kicked off in style with the team properly kitted out.
“I’m very grateful for their support – obviously, their kind donation meant there was no need to pass on the cost of the kit to parents, but more importantly, it gave the team a sense of belonging and pride.
“This group of players has a huge amount of talent, but they also showed that they were capable of knuckling down, working hard as a team, and working for each other.
“With the support of the school and the community they achieved remarkable results.”
Now that their remarkable season has come to an end, the players can enjoy a well‑earned break and get their football fix by watching the World Cup unfold.