Arsenal International Soccer Festival - Positive Futures and VE USA
Arsenal Soccer Festival celebrates 19th Year
Tomorrow (Saturday 25 July) sees the start of this year's annual Arsenal International Soccer Festival, which takes place at the magnificent setting of Royal Holloway College (University of London) in Egham, Surrey.
Teams from more than a dozen UK County Associations will compete against visiting teams from all over the world including Bahrain, USA, Canada, South Africa, Italy, Spain, Egypt, Greece, India, Saudi Arabia, Antigua and Ireland.
Arsenal's Soccer Schools from Egypt, Costa del Sol, Greece and Bahrain will be represented, along with an Arsenal Positive Futures team, a sports-based social inclusion programme that works with young people from local Islington estates and referral organisations. Debut appearances this year come from clubs from the nations of Antigua and Bahrain at the Festival too.
Opening Ceremony
Several Soccer School teams are making a return to the Festival, with 2009 being the sixth consecutive tournament for the Wadi Degla Club from Egypt, and the Calgary Blizzards from Canada.
This is the 19th annual Festival which attracts around 150 teams. The Festival consists of small sided games for the U7s, U8s, U9s and U10s, and 11-a-side matches for older players, leading to trophies and medals for the Cup and Plate Winners and Runners Up. The Arsenal International Soccer Festival is now firmly established as the top event of its kind in the south of England.
The tournament prides itself upon placing great emphasis on a very competitive but sporting environment, which is demonstrated by the award of a Fair Play Trophy in each age group.
Ladies Winners
Paul Shipwright, the tournament organiser and Arsenal's Soccer School Franchise Manager, said: "Arsenal Football Club is delighted to be associated with the International Festival. As a Club, we recognise that football is an international game which can create a spirit of friendship across nations, bringing people and cultures together in a positive way. We look forward to welcoming hundreds of young players from many different countries to this year's event and we hope that every player has a great experience."
Tournament organisers have also clinched a deal with soft drinks supplier Soccerade. Soccerade will provide professional energy sources to all participants, helping fuel the stars of tomorrow.
The Festival begins on Saturday July 25, and ends with the Finals and trophy presentation on Sunday 2 August.
Boys and girls aged between seven and 19 will take part in the Festival (plus an open age Ladies event) which forms part of Arsenal Football Club's community football programme.
Visitors are welcome to come along to support the teams and enjoy the games.
For more information please contact Alex Henderson at the Arsenal Football Club Press Office on 020 7704 4010 or ahenderson@arsenal.co.uk or contact Paul Shipwright of Arsenal in the Community on 0207 704 4153 or pshipwright@arsenal.co.uk.
[Friday, July 24, 2009]
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