ReachOut Girls' Football Cup

Saturday 30^th August was a clear and warm summer’s day, perfect for ReachOut to organise a girls’ football tournament at the Mabley football pitches in Hackney.

The event saw two age groups, U13 and U15, take part in an action-packed and fun day of football.

Teams came from as far as Acton and the motivation was high among all the players to win the prestigious ReachOut Summer Cup. All the matches were very close and the hard work that the coaches put in during the season was repaid by spirited games and a display of beautiful football by all teams.

The U15 tournament was particularly competitive with Kinja FC and Young Hackney reaching the final after a tight group stage with Limehouse Park, Old Actonians and ReachOut all just missing out on one of the two top spots. Despite the disappointment of an early elimination Karace (ReachOut U15s player) declared: “It was good! We played well as a team and showed good staying power”.

Kinja eventually came out the stronger side in the final but had to go to penalty shootouts to subdue a battling Young Hackney.

The U13 tournament was dominated by Tower Rovers B who went undefeated all the way to the final by convincingly beating My FC, Young Hackney and Tower Rovers A. The final was no exception and Tower Rovers B was victorious despite a good performance by Young Hackney.

The final trophies were presented by the ReachOut London director, Peter Blackwell, and special guest from the Arsenal Ladies, Danielle Carter. Danielle, interviewed by the Hackney Citizen said: “I’ve been impressed by the talent. It’s nice to see the rise in women’s football. This is where it starts”. She also added: “It’s great that ReachOut have combined sport with education so successfully”.

At the end of the event, players, coaches, parents and ReachOut staff all left Mabley very enthusiastic and looking forward to next year’s ReachOut Summer Cup.

Roger Stiell, the Manager of cup competitors Young Hackney, praised the drive, commitment and talent of the competitors: 'The competition was played within the spirit of the game and in traditional high octane style'.  

By Arrigo Beino

ReachOut volunteer and referee!