February 2009
For immediate release
Carnegie announces support for international schoolboy competition
Leeds Metropolitan University have announced plans to extend their support for schoolboy football in the British Isles with the launch of an international tournament.
Following three years of support for the Carnegie Schools Cup in Northern Ireland, Leeds Met will support the Carnegie Centenary Shield, an U18 International schools football competition between the nations of England, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
This latest development follows the University’s groundbreaking partnerships in recent years with Leeds Rugby (Leeds Rhinos and Leeds Carnegie), Yorkshire County Cricket Club (Yorkshire Carnegie), Cricket Ireland, The Rugby Football League (Carnegie World Club Challenge and Carnegie Challenge Cup), Leeds Carnegie Ladies football team, rugby union’s Scottish Exiles, Rugby League Ireland, the Irish Football Association, the Glenn Hoddle Academy and a host of other grass roots sports partnerships.
Peter Rodgers, Dean of Sporting partnerships at Leeds Metropolitan University said, “This partnership shows our commitment to schools sports as we continue our quest to develop young footballers both on and off the pitch. Many talented footballers want to continue their studies and go into higher education as well as play at the highest level they can over their playing careers. We wish to support that in every way we can and the Carnegie Centenary Shield will provide an excellent way of supporting talented students in school to play at the highest level as well as encourage their progression into higher education.”
“Sport is one of the ways students skills, attitudes and teamwork develop and often produces some of our most successful students who go onto equally successful careers. Leeds Met Carnegie wants to be part of that process and we are delighted to announce this partnership today.”
Participants in the Carnegie Centenary Shield will have further opportunities to acquire Carnegie Scholarships to the University, invitations to experience University football competitions, access to student career counselling and coaching, player support and the opportunity to attend University open days.
In welcoming the support from Carnegie, Allen McKinstry Secretary of the Schools Association Football International Board adds, “Once again Leeds Met Carnegie has demonstrated their desire to support School sport. The Carnegie Centenary Shield is a highly competitive event which brings together the very best Schools U18 International sides in a unique competition involving all five home nations.
Thanks to this support from Carnegie and the commitment from Sky Sports to broadcast two of this year’s games, the competition will enjoy a much enhanced profile and status. The Republic of Ireland will look forward to defending their title won in dramatic circumstances last year at Sunderland FC, with a victory over England, while the other four nations will be eager to become the first holders of the Carnegie Centenary Shield.’
Carnegie Centenary Shield 2008-2009
26 Feb 09 Rep. Ireland v Wales Wexford 7.00pm
26 Feb 09 N Ireland v Scotland Comber 2.00pm
05 Mar 09 England v Wales Boston 7.00pm
13 Mar 09 Scotland v Rep. Ireland Hearts FC 7.00pm
20 Mar 09 N Ireland v Rep. Ireland Ballymoney 7.00pm
27 Mar 09 England v N Ireland Macclesfield 7.00pm
02 Apr 09 Wales v Scotland Port Talbot 7.00pm
17 Apr 09 Scotland v England St. Mirren FC 7.35pm Live on Sky Sports
20 Apr 09 Wales v N Ireland Colwyn Bay 7.00pm
24 Apr 09 Rep. Ireland v England RSC Waterford 7.35pm Live on Sky Sports
Ends
For further details please contact Mark Dorey in Communications at Leeds Met on 0113 812 3021 or email m.dorey@leedsmet.ac.uk
Notes for editors:
• The university was recently announced as the home of The UK Centre for Coaching Excellence.
• Leeds Met Carnegie is the primary partner of rugby league’s Carnegie Challenge Cup.
• Partnerships with 22 colleges mean that the wider Great North Uni family in association with Leeds Met has over 300,000 students.