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Infant five-a-side festival celebrates future football stars




The future Erling Haalands and Beth Meads showed off their skills in an infant five-a-side festival at the weekend.

Thatcham Tornadoes celebrated its tenth infant school football festival in conjunction with the Thatcham Festival on Saturday (October 15).

More than 100 Year 1 and Year 2 school pupils came together for an action packed morning of football on The Moors playing field.

The five-a-side football festival stars. Picture: Thatcham Tornadoes
The five-a-side football festival stars. Picture: Thatcham Tornadoes

Once the matches were over, the Mayor of Thatcham Jeff Brooks presented all the players with a Participation Award and Curridge Eagles with their Fair Play trophy.

Thatcham Tornadoes chairman, Gareth Hillen, then presented Mr Brooks with a cheque for £232 to be passed onto Daisy’s Dream, a bereavement charity which he is supporting during his time as mayor.

The funds were raised at a recent Thatcham Tornadoes Charity Speedshot at the Thatcham Family Fun Day at the end of June.

Club Chairman, Gareth Hillen presenting Thatcham mayor Jeff Brook's with a cheque for bereavement charity Dasiy's Dream. Picture: Thatcham Tornadoes
Club Chairman, Gareth Hillen presenting Thatcham mayor Jeff Brook's with a cheque for bereavement charity Dasiy's Dream. Picture: Thatcham Tornadoes

The club also welcomed charity Fanconi Hope’s Colin and Debbie Waters to present them with a cheque for £1,155 from a recent charity speedshot when £577 was raised and doubled by Ultra-Electronics match funding.

Festival organiser, Peter Walker said: “The standard of play never ceases to amaze us for those so young.

"This year, the impact of the Lionesses European Cup success was very visible with many more girls taking part than in previous years.

“It was fantastic to see.”

Saint Finians Foxes vs Curridge Falcons. (60038221)
Saint Finians Foxes vs Curridge Falcons. (60038221)

Mr Brooks also championed the young girls and said: “We won that Euro and the interest has grown.

“The Thatcham Tornadoes are 51 years old now, what a wonderful thing to have in the town for young people to come through.

“We have boys and we have girls playing football.”

Curridge Eagles vs Parsons Down. (60038226)
Curridge Eagles vs Parsons Down. (60038226)
Club Chairman, Gareth Hillen with Fanconi Hope’s Colin and Debbie Waters who were presented with a cheque from Thatcham Tornadoes. Picture: Thatcham Tornadoes
Club Chairman, Gareth Hillen with Fanconi Hope’s Colin and Debbie Waters who were presented with a cheque from Thatcham Tornadoes. Picture: Thatcham Tornadoes

The club thanked the school teachers and parents for giving up their Saturday morning to support the festival.

The club said: “It was great to see so many children and their families enjoying the football. Some cracking goals were scored, brilliant saves made and plenty of action in between.

“We would like to thank the Mayor and his team at the council office and we are delighted to host an event to get so many young people involved in Thatcham Festival.”

Spurcroft Swallows vs Thatcham Park Owls. (60038224)
Spurcroft Swallows vs Thatcham Park Owls. (60038224)

The Francis Baily Primary School PTA were also thanked for providing a barbeque and refreshments.

The club said: “We couldn’t do this without you.”

Thatcham Tornadoes currently has space in its U6 Girls and U7 Girls teams for additional players. For free taster sessions contact info@thatchamtornadoes.com for more information.



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