Unity in the Community Football Tournament took place on Saturday 15 June at Paddington Recreation Ground, the day kicked off with a mixed-gender competition, followed in the afternoon by a Girls Football Festival.
The event, organised by Active Westminster and its leisure operator Everyone Active as part of their Neighbourhood Sports Club programme, kicked off with the Unity in the Community (UITC) mixed-gender football tournament in the morning.
182 players aged seven to 16, regardless of abilities or backgrounds, took to the state-of-the-art pitches, competing in friendly matches aimed at uniting the community through sport.
“There was amazing community spirit, and everyone displayed great sportsmanship,” said Dilu Miah, Coordinator of the Queen’s Park Bangladesh Association, whose under-12 team participated. “This was the first tournament our U12 team have experienced, and they thoroughly enjoyed every minute.”
The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Robert Rigby, joined the morning’s activities.
Later in the afternoon, a Girls Football Festival was held to commemorate the upcoming Women’s World Cup.
Local girls took part in skills sessions and friendly matches, the festival celebrating women’s football’s growing popularity while encouraging young girls to try the sport themselves.
Nicole Fox, Everyone Active Contract Activity and Wellbeing Manager said: “We are extremely proud to be able to offer such amazing events and sessions to those throughout Westminster and beyond.
“Saturday was an incredible day, and the number of children we had attend reminded myself and the team how far we have come with reaching our goal of supporting children and other communities in their physical and mental wellbeing. Our goal is to ensure everyone – no matter their age or background – has the same opportunity to improve their mental and physical health to lead a happy and fulfilling lifestyle.”
The Lord Mayor said: “Football fever is gripping the nation with the Euros, and it certainly gripped Paddington Recreation Ground for the Unity in the Community football tournament. It was a pleasure to watch local teams go through their paces and hand out medals to winners”.
If you would like to attend the next Unity in the Community, keep an eye on our dedicated page for when we confirm the date for the event in September.
