Unprecedented Football Success
- lucindawatt17
- Oct 7
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 4
We are celebrating a remarkable fortnight of footballing success, as our talented U11 team has been crowned both ISFA Regional Champions and IAPS Regional Champions - an unprecedented double achievement for Prince's Mead school.
On Wednesday 1st October, the squad travelled to Bedales School to defend their Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA) U11 Regional title. Facing 15 of the strongest teams from across the South-East, the boys began their campaign in commanding fashion, winning all group matches without conceding a single goal.
After overcoming Downsend 2–1 in a tense semi-final, they produced a superb display in the final against Highfield, winning 3–0 to retain their crown and secure a place at the National Finals at St George’s Park in May 2026. The result marks the second consecutive year that Prince’s Mead has been crowned ISFA Regional Champions, an exceptional achievement that underlines the school’s growing reputation for sporting excellence.
Just five days later, on Monday 6th October, they travelled to Summer Fields School in Oxford for the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) Regional Qualifiers. Drawn in a challenging group alongside The Manor Prep, PGS, and Abingdon, Prince’s Mead started with a strong 5–0 win before earning a crucial 0–0 draw and finishing with a dominant 4–0 victory to top the group.
Momentum carried them through the knockout stages, with a 3–1 quarter-final win over Castle Court, a hard-fought semi-final victory against Lambrook, and an emphatic 2–0 triumph over Swanbourne House in the final, earning a second place at a national tournament in as many weeks.
Speaking after the double success, Director of Sport, Mr Graham Arkley, said:
“What these boys have achieved is truly exceptional. To win two major regional tournaments in such quick succession takes not only talent but tremendous resilience, teamwork, and self-belief. They’ve done themselves and Prince’s Mead proud in every sense.”
Headmaster, Mr Adam King, added:
“This is a moment of real pride for our school. The boys’ success not only reflects their skill and determination, but also the way they support one another as a team. We are all incredibly proud of them and of our outstanding sports department for inspiring such excellence.”
Prince’s Mead will now go on to represent the South East at both national finals, a historic milestone for the school and a testament to the strength of its sporting programme.
