Sun shines on Thatcham Tornadoes football tournament at Kennet School
Thatcham Tornadoes welcomed over 200 teams and families to their tournament held at Kennet School last weekend.
This year, their Girls Tournament was merged into their Annual May Tournament and the weekend proved to be a fantastic showcase for girls and boys football.
Over the 29 years the tournament has run, it has gained an enviable reputation for being one of the best run tournaments in the area and this year was no exception.
Teams from across Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey and Wiltshire joined the Berkshire-based teams to decide who would be taking home the silverware.
Tournament Organiser, Charlotte Herriott, said:
“We are absolutely thrilled to have finally brought our two flagship tournaments into one event.
“It was fantastic to see so many girls playing football over the weekend, inspired by the success of the Lionesses.
“Over the weekend, twenty three different clubs reached the finals of their age groups which was great to see."
“We could not stage our tournament without the support of our volunteers setting up and running our tournament.
“A special mention to our referees - nearly all were under 18s and they did a brilliant job.
“Our final thanks must go to Ms Rigg, Gerwyn Clegg and Marcio Cantarutti along with Kennet School PTA for enabling the tournament to continue at Kennet and their PTA did a great job keeping everyone fed and watered.”
Over 750 matches were played with 1800 players taking part.
From U9 upwards, depending on their position in the group stages, the top four proceed into either the Cup or Plate Competition knock out stages with matches decided by the dreaded penalty shoot-outs if necessary.
In the run up to the finals, parents' nerves were shredded as a fair few teams battled through penalty shoot-out to reach the next round or indeed lift the silverware.
Whilst fifteen of the finals were settled during normal play, five needed penalties to split the teams.
The Thatcham Tornadoes Spabreaks.com Charity Speedshot was in action, continuing to raise money for Fanconi Hope.
£565 was raised in memory of former Tornadoes Coach, Stephen Waters, as Rosie from Thatcham Tornadoes U8 Lionesses and Jaguars set a new U8 Girls record of 41mph.
A replica of the FA Cup was also on site for the weekend, allowing players, families and teams to take photos with the iconic trophy.
The Neighbourhood team from Thames Valley Police and White Watch from Newbury Fire Station were also in attendance engaging with the local community.
Rich Brant and James Parker from Berks & Bucks FA were on hand to engage with all the teams, coaches and parents.
Finally, Councillor Petra Pemberton, Thatcham's newly elected Mayor presented the trophies and medals to the winners and runners up.
RESULTS
U9
Cup Winners: Woodley Wanderers Jaguars / Runners Up: South Reading Yellows
Plate Winners: Tadley Calleva Black / Runners Up: Thatcham Tornadoes Jaguars
U10
Cup Winners: South Reading / Runners Up: AFC Newbury
Plate Winners: Westwood Wanderers / Runners Up: Wokingham & Emmbrook
Girls Cup Winners: Atalanta / Runners Up: Tilehurst Panthers Flames
Girls Plate Winners: Laurel Park / Runners Up: Thatcham Tornadoes Lionesses C
U11
Cup Winners: Berks Elite / Runners Up: FC Cougars
Plate Winners: Thatcham Tornadoes Black / Runners Up: Thatcham Tornadoes Amber
Girls Cup Winners: Atalanta Shadow Squad Whites / Runners Up: Blewbury Amazons
U12
Cup Winners: Westwood Wanderers / Runners Up: Oakley Lions
Plate Winners: Theale Tigers / Runners Up: Thatcham Tornadoes Panthers
Girls Cup Winners: Thatcham Tornadoes Tigresses / Runners Up: Thatcham Tornadoes Lionesses
U13
Cup Winners: Thatcham Tornadoes U12 Lions / Runners Up: Thatcham Tornadoes Jaguars
Plate Winners: Thatcham Town Harriers Blue / Runners Up: CSA 07 Cavaliers
Girls Cup Winners: Nalgo Sports Cobras / Runners Up: Thatcham Tornadoes Lionesses
Girls Plate Winners: Burghfield / Runners Up: WCF Pink Falcons
U14
Cup Winners: CSA 07 Wizards Red / Runners Up: Easington Sports
Plate Winners: Pangbourne Youth / Runners Up: Caversham AFC Tigers Red
Girls Cup Winners: Oxford City / Runners Up: Thatcham Tornadoes Tigers
U15/16
Cup Winners: Thatcham Tornadoes U15 Panthers / Runners Up: Sherborne St John Saints
