St Nicholas Football Club in Chipping Sodbury hosts event

Despite yellow weather warnings for a downpour, over 250 teams aged from under 7s to under 15s, competed on 16 pitches at the clubs ‘biggest and best’ two-day tournament held at the Ridings on Wickwar Road.

Teams from across Wales and the Southwest played in the annual tournament that took over six months to organise.

The tournament is one of the club's biggest fundraising events and club secretary Andrew Paget said it encompasses their ethos of ‘encouraging children of all ages to be involved with the sport.’

The event allows older children to compete in knockout competitions while the younger players play in a festival of football where all competitors receive a medal for attending.

Andrew said: “This year’s tournament was our biggest and best, it was helped with great weather and more importantly smiling faces everywhere, with children playing the sport they love.”

St Nicks under 13s girl’s manager, Emma Days led the organisation of the event.

Andrew added: “Emma has been fantastic, she was supported with a strong sub-committee and an army of volunteers who worked tirelessly over the entire weekend.

“Many new faces were involved this year ensuring that when the old guard retire, we can continue this great annual event which has been running for over 35 years.”

Andrew said the club received excellent feedback and any ideas to improve the event will be actioned for next years tournament.

All profits from the event are used to support the club.

Club chair Ian Davies added: “The event was spectacular as always, I would like to thank all of the volunteers, the committee members, our sponsors, the managers and coaches, the parents and most of all the children for a brilliant weekend.

“Events like these allow us to ensure we can continue to provide the best affordable grassroots experience for everyone involved in this great community club.”