“Being able to practice every day has meant I’ve made my best friends that I’ll keep for life.”
Daniel B (Year 12) has been selected for the Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA).
He passed the final trial which consisted of a 30-minute match and training session, competing against 60 other players from across England.
During the trial, Daniel tried to enjoy the experience rather than focusing on his nerves as he believed that “if you are scared to make mistakes, you won’t shine”.
He said: “I enjoyed my time playing alongside some of the best players in the country. It was a very good experience, and I was just glad I was there.”
When he found out that he’d been selected, Daniel was “extremely happy and glad that all the hard work had paid off”.
“Mr Sullivan and Mr Jennings—Eton’s first team coaches—were really happy for me, as well as my House Master and my friends because they knew how much it meant to me. It was brilliant to have their support at quite a nervous time.”
ISFA is recognised by the Football Association (FA) as the body responsible for developing football in the independent sector. Daniel has been training in the programme for four years.
At Eton, Daniel plays in the first team and has been training with them since Year 10: “It was very good to push myself against the best players in the School and a really great environment to develop and get better.”
In the lead up to his ISFA trial, Daniel has been supported by the School’s coaches, and said: “Mr Sullivan was definitely wishing me the best of luck for the trial.”
Aside from competing with the first team, Daniel also enjoys taking part in House sport, like Ties matches which he thinks are “absolutely amazing”. He said: “Even when you come out on the losing side, it’s great to take a break to enjoy a game of football with your friends—it helps bonding.
“My best friends are in my House, and [those relationships] have been built through years of playing sport and living together. It’s great having fun around my friends just playing the sport that I love.”
When Daniel first started Eton in Year 9, he enjoyed many of the 30+ sports the College offers, favouring athletics and football. He said: “The School gives you so many chances to try out new things.
“I’ve played on Chelsea’s training ground, and Eton’s Mespots One is definitely alongside those top pitches. It’s amazing to be blessed with the ability to train there every day.
“When I wake up, all I think about is ‘there is training later, I get to play on Mespots!’ I’m so grateful to have a place at the School and a place in the first team. That’s what gets me up in the morning, knowing that I can have a good time playing football with my friends.”
For Daniel, boarding means that he can spend more time training and playing with his team: “Being able to practice every day has meant I’ve made my best friends that I’ll keep for life.”
