The event had a strong community focus and played a role in celebrating diversity and inclusion.
‘One Game One Community’ is unique in that it sees football’s biggest names stand alongside communities across the UK under its banner and saw 66 Star Football Club receive funding from Kick it Out and the Gloucestershire FA. It brought together other partners such as the Onside Football Project, Aspire Sports & Cultural Trust and Positive Futures to deliver a cultural festival of delights!
The first event of the week was an adult male World Cup tournament on the Monday night, which saw teams living in Gloucester from diverse cultures such Iraq, Jamaica, Team Asia (players from Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani heritage), England, Black Britain, Spain, Portugal and Africa (players from all over the continent) take part in round robin league action followed by semi finals and a final.
As the tournament got under way the players were greeted by a wall of noise, as the Glevum Hall was packed to the rafters with passionate, but well behaved fans. The opening games were played with free flowing and incisive football and saw a tense Iberian local derby between Spain and Portugal finish in a 2-0 victory to the current European Champions. The semi finals brought together Black Britain and Team Asia, with Spain and England contesting the other place for the final. Two tense, but fairly fought out semi’s resulted in joint hosts Black Britain and England competing in the final. End to end dynamic play resulted in a 1-1 finish, with Black Britain lifting the World Cup trophy with a winning margin of 4 goals to 3 after extra time.
On the second day of the event, the youngsters took centre stage as an under 14’s and 18’s tournament was held. Again, supporters were rewarded with pulsating entertainment as players from diverse ethnic backgrounds predominately from inner city Gloucester came together to share their passion for the form of football, which is taking the country by storm. Players drew countries ‘out of the hat’ and represented nations across the globe. The final was compelling and saw Argentina beat Italy on penalties. The under 18 tournament saw the powerhouses of Brazil and Ghana contest the final, with Brazil coming out convincing winners 5-1.
At the end of the event an exhausted tournament organiser, Paul Brown, manager of 66 Start Football Club and Onside Community Liaison Officer stated: “ It’s great to see so many people from so many backgrounds coming together to enjoy the spectacle of Futsal. It’s great that the club in partnership with all our partners can give something back to the people of the city”.
Fellow organisers Jim Hart (Onside Co-ordinator) and Jonathan Edmunds (Sports Development Officer for Aspire) were equally delighted: Jon commented “ It’s weeks like this that make my job worthwhile. We have shown that Futsal has the power not only to engage through technique, speed and fair play, but as a vehicle to establish ‘human friendship”.
For further information contact Ken Meekings, Marketing & Communications Manager, Aspire Sports & Cultural Trust
on 01452 396626 or email marketing@aspiretrust.org.uk