Sunderland AFC Foundation, in association with Sunderland City Council, gave youngsters the opportunity to play on the pitch at the Stadium of Light in the unique ‘World Cup 5’s’ tournaments this week.
Over 660 young people took part in three five-a-side tournaments held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with teams from age groups under 9’s to under 14’s taking part.
World Cup 5’s is a 5-a-side tournament which follows the same format as the FIFA World Cup™ with one small difference – the 16 teams who did not qualify for the knock out rounds will be entered in the ‘World Cup Shield’ knock out tournament ensuring that all teams enjoyed a minimum of 5 games.
The tournament was organised as part of a programme of ‘Back the Bid’ World Cup activity between SAFC Foundation and Sunderland City Council which also includes World Cup themed sessions on integration and citizenship and in school coaching.
The Mayor of the City of Sunderland attended on the last day of the event to present the winner’s trophy to under 14’s team ‘the Sunderland All Stars’.
Jamie Wright, SAFC Foundation Head of Football Development:
“We’ve enjoyed a fantastic few days of football with some excellent young players turning up and enjoying the tournaments. We’d like to thank the Mayor for attending, Sunderland City Council and Sunderland AFC for their support in helping us put on such a memorable event that hundreds of youngsters have enjoyed.”
Kevin Lynne, manager of Sunderland All Stars (Thursday’s winning team) commented:
“The event’s been excellent – for any young kid who later on in life can say they played on the pitch at the Stadium of Light is a fantastic thing for them. I think it’s a brilliant idea and whoever came up with it wants a big pat on the back.”
Sunderland AFC Foundation, in association with Sunderland City Council, gave youngsters the opportunity to play on the pitch at the Stadium of Light in the unique ‘World Cup 5’s’ tournaments this week.
Over 660 young people took part in three five-a-side tournaments held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with teams from age groups under 9’s to under 14’s taking part.
World Cup 5’s is a 5-a-side tournament which follows the same format as the FIFA World Cup™ with one small difference – the 16 teams who did not qualify for the knock out rounds will be entered in the ‘World Cup Shield’ knock out tournament ensuring that all teams enjoyed a minimum of 5 games.
The tournament was organised as part of a programme of ‘Back the Bid’ World Cup activity between SAFC Foundation and Sunderland City Council which also includes World Cup themed sessions on integration and citizenship and in school coaching.
The Mayor of the City of Sunderland attended on the last day of the event to present the winner’s trophy to under 14’s team ‘the Sunderland All Stars’.
Jamie Wright, SAFC Foundation Head of Football Development:
“We’ve enjoyed a fantastic few days of football with some excellent young players turning up and enjoying the tournaments. We’d like to thank the Mayor for attending, Sunderland City Council and Sunderland AFC for their support in helping us put on such a memorable event that hundreds of youngsters have enjoyed.”
Kevin Lynne, manager of Sunderland All Stars (Thursday’s winning team) commented:
“The event’s been excellent – for any young kid who later on in life can say they played on the pitch at the Stadium of Light is a fantastic thing for them. I think it’s a brilliant idea and whoever came up with it wants a big pat on the back.”