On the 20th March 2009 Bristol Rovers Community Department organised a football tournament for 10 local primary schools. The event was held at Filton Academy on the 3rd generation astroturf.
The tournament was was part of the Football League Community Cup, the winner of the competition will go on to play in the regional finals at the Swindon ground, with the eventual final taking place at Wembley Stadium.
‘It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to play at Wembley’ believes organiser Pete Aitken, as head of Rovers community department it was Pete who invited the schools to take part in this event .
In an interview with Pete after the match he said he was pleased with the way the tournament went and that he believes that competitive sport builds character ‘children learn how to deal with winning and learn how to deal with loosing, sport is a great way of developing character’
This a view that is shared by the Bristol Rovers Manager Paul Trollope, when asked after the presentation of the winning team, he agreed and said that ‘Sport helps young people to develop the skills they need in life’.
Also at the event there was a group of young journalists from Filton Avenue Junior School who have been working with the Study Centre staff from Bristol Rovers to prepare for the BBC School Report Day. They were able to practice their journalistic skills by reporting on the live games and interviewing players and fans.
‘It was a great match, we really enjoyed playing here’ said a pupil from St Nicholas of Tolentine. It was a well supported event and everyone was happy to be interviewed.
It was a close final between The Park and Filton Avenue with The Park winning the tournament, the final score was 3-2. We wish them well in their bid to bet to Wembley!
Reported by Sidney, Lauren and Leanne
