ELEVEN sixth form pupils from Swindon Academy are celebrating national glory after lifting the Soccer AM Futsal Cup at London’s Copper Box Arena last month.

The Swindon teenagers, who are all students on the Reading Education and Futsal Programme, travelled to the London 2012 Olympic venue for the final stages of a competition that began back in February and emerged as champions after a stirring victory over Sheffield United.

After progressing through two group stages, at the Birmingham International Futsal Arena in February and the St Georges Park National Football Centre, in Staffordshire, in April, Reading headed for the Copper Box and found themselves taking on Rochdale in the semi-finals.

Roared on by an 80-plus fanbase of friends, families and teachers, they booked their spot in the final with a 3-1 victory, courtesy of goals from Sam Lowrie, Joe Grant and Kias Bonner-Shea.

That then booked the Swindon Academy students’ showdown with Sheffield, and they quickly found themselves trailing by two goals.

But Reading roared back and carved out a two-goal lead of their own, leading 5-2 at half-time.

The Swindon youngsters charged on and got their hands on the trophy after running out 11-6 winners, Lowrie bagging five goals, Bonner-Shea and Grant grabbing braces, and Joe Broadbank and Max Jenkins also getting themselves on the scoresheet.

Swindon Academy principal Ruth Robinson said: “We are absolutely thrilled. They have worked incredibly hard and demonstrated real commitment, both to their studies and their game, and are a credit to their families, teachers and coaches.”

Swindon Academy pastoral director of sixth form Nick Warren added: “Our scholars conducted themselves admirably and showed themselves to be consummate sportsmen. Congratulations to them for a well-deserved win.”