A Chester primary school is celebrating after reaching the national finals of the Danone Nations Cup, the world’s biggest football tournament for 10-12 year olds.

St Oswalds CE Primary School football team triumphed in the North of England regional final and will now play in the national final at Lilleshall National Sports Centre on Saturday, June 13. Victory here will result in them being crowned national champions.

The Mollington pupils successfully progressed from the county knockout rounds of the tournament earlier this year, earning them a place in the regional final.

Charlotte Broos, CSR manager at Danone said: “Congratulations to St Oswalds, they played extremely well. The local community really got behind the team and the support paid off. I wish them all the best for the national final!”

Former Tottenham, Liverpool and England centre back John Scales, ambassador of the tournament said: “Congratulations to St Oswalds for an outstanding performance at the regional finals, I expect they will bring more of the same to the national final!

“I am so proud to have so closely supported the Danone Nations Cup for more than 10 years now. It’s a truly remarkable project that brings joy to thousands of kids nationally. Being active, eating well, having fun and working hard as part of a team are fundamental pillars of influencing the many that participate.”

2.5m children worldwide take part in the competition each year, with 3,000 schools competing in the English leg run by the English Schools’ Football Association.

The Danone Nations Cup is a unique FIFA approved tournament, which has been given the Government’s ‘Inspired by 2012’ seal of approval. It is an annual highlight in Danone’s ongoing programme of support for healthy lifestyles through education, fun and fairplay, which includes its ‘Eat Like A Champ’ healthy eating initiative.