Our United 4 Communities u16’s participated in this year’s Coalfields Regeneration Trusts Inter-regional tournament held at Wigan Youth Zone.
The United 4 Communities team is made up of young people that have accessed our evening diversionary football activities from across Rotherham and haven’t accessed a competitive football team before.Entering two 5 aside teams, the United 4 Communities boys battled out against teams from Hartlepool, Derby, Port Vale and Wigan. On the day itself, one of our teams was eliminated at the group stage, whilst the B team travelled all the way through to the semi-finals before bravely losing 5-3 in a high quality game against Hartlepool United.
The tournament is part of Coalfields Midnight Leagues project with Rotherham United Community Sports Trust, the project offers high quality evening sports provision in Wath and Eastwood.
Mark Cummins, Inclusion Officer, commented “The tournament provided a tough but enjoyable first match experience for our flourishing United 4 Communities Team, the CRT project is up and running in Eastwood and will shortly commence in Wath.
“Our evening provision provides a brilliant way of engaging with young people and with our own football team we now offer young people the chance to play competitively.”
Andy Lock, Head of Social Investment for the CRT said “The CRT would like to thank Rotherham United Community Sports Trust for taking two teams to its Game On Midnight League Regional Tournament in Wigan on the 25th August.
“The competition was strong and the players represented each of the competing clubs really well.”
He also added, “Our Game On project is a great way to engage young people through football and this tournament gave them the opportunity to play against teams from Hartlepool, Wigan, Derby and Port Vale with Rotherham only just missing out on securing the honour of representing England at our Home International Tournament in Cardiff on the 31st August.
“The CRT looks forward to the positive difference made to the lives of young people over the coming year through its partnership with Rotherham United Community Sports Trust.”