The Utilita Kids and Girls Cups are national tournaments for junior footballers which offers children the once in a lifetime opportunity to play at Wembley Stadium.
The competition creates one of the country’s largest national football competitions, which culminate in exciting finals at Wembley Stadium in front of thousands of fans before a major national final, as schoolchildren live out their dream.
In the run up to these Finals, EFL Clubs and their Club Community Organisation’s deliver local and regional stages of the competitions. By encouraging these young people to participate and develop a love of sport, the Clubs and CCOs are helping to deliver the EFL Trust’s overall vision to create stronger, healthier, more active communities, whilst also supporting Sport England’s ambition of creating an active nation by focusing on the benefits sport can bring to people and society.
The competition which inspires children to be active, healthy, and develop a strong sense of teamwork, discovered Premier League star Will Hughes, while David Beckham’s former school Chase Lane Primary walked away as 2013/14 Kids Cup League One winners, representing Leyton Orient.
The Utilita Kids Cup comprises of a six-a-side competition for U11 schoolchildren and culminates in three finals across the Sky Bet EFL Play-Off weekend in May.
“It was one of the best moments of my life at the time. I’ll never forget the day. Those are the moments that stick with you, no matter what you go on to achieve in your career. The more kids that can experience them moments, the better."
Adam Wharton
Blackburn Rovers
The road to the finals starts when the new school term starts. Each EFL club organises an Utilita Kids Cup local competition for all local schools wishing to take part.
All EFL clubs are first split into three divisions, in line with club’s divisional status, before being again split into two groups, north and south. The winners of the divisional northern and southern finals will then qualify for the chance to play before the Sky Bet EFL Play-Off Final of the relevant division.
Many clubs play the final of their local competition at their home stadium before a first team game. The winners of that competition then go on to represent the club in the Area, Regional and National phases of the competition, where they will face schools representing other League clubs.
The Utilita Girls Cup is for U13 girls that culminates in a grand final prior to the EFL Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium in April. Again, a six aside contest the road to the finals starts when the new school term starts. Each club organises a local competition for all schools wishing to take part in their area, with their final often taking place at the home ground before a first team game. The winners of that competition then go on to represent the club in the Area, Regional and National phases of the competition, where they will face schools representing other League clubs.