The Durham school football team preparing to face Brazil in a World Cup
Written by Joe Burton on 20th October 2026
Park View AFC men’s team line up before a game.
A North East sporting academy is swapping County Durham for the global stage, to represent England in a world cup football competition – twice over.
Park View AFC’s academy men’s and women’s sides are playing in the World Schools Football World Cup in China, which started this week, run by the International School Sport Federation (ISF).
Following a historic English Colleges Football Association (ECFA) national championship double for their men’s and women’s sides, the academy, based in Chester-le-Street, has taken 40 players and eight staff members to Suzhou for the 10-day tournament.
“It’s a huge honour for Park View Academy of Sport,” said coach Anthony Gamble, who has been involved since 2019.
“To have both a boys’ and girls’ team representing England on the world stage is something we are incredibly proud of.”
Preparation for the 5,000-mile trip via Shanghai has been extensive. While the girls’ squad warmed up with showcase fixtures against professional academies including Celtic and Ipswich Town, staff have closely managed nutrition, hydration and the effect of the seven-hour time difference.
In the group stages, the boys are set to face Brazil, Kenya and Bulgaria, while the girls take on Chinese Taipei, Turkey and India.
“There is definitely an element of the unknown,” Gamble explained. “Different countries have very different styles of football, so part of the challenge is being able to adapt quickly once the game starts.
“We haven’t travelled all the way to China simply to take part. We want both teams to give themselves the best possible opportunity of progressing through the group stages and then see how far we can go.”
Beyond the pitch, the tournament marks a milestone moment for the North East club, whose senior team ply their trade in Division Two of the EBAC Northern League – English football’s tenth tier, whilst maintaining connections to the local Park View School.
“For the players, putting on an England shirt and representing not only their country but also their school, their families and the North East is something they will remember for the rest of their lives,” Gamble added.
“Hopefully it also shows other young players from our area what opportunities are possible.
“You can be growing up and playing football in the North East and end up representing England at a World Championship on the other side of the world.”
