The Dutch Deliver
Tees Active staged their own mini World Cup with 18 teams participating in the event from schools in the Stockton, Thornaby and Billingham areas. The tournament was staged at Thornaby Pavilion and was enjoyed by over 130 primary school children aged between 7 and 9 years old.
Each 5-a-side team represented a country that had recently competed in the world cup and all played in the group stages before the winning teams went through to the knock out stages.
The schools entered into the competition were Harewood Primary School (representing Australia and South Korea), Roseberry Junior School (Tunisia and Brazil), St Patrick's Primary School (Holland and Japan), St Paul's RC Primary School (England and Spain), Crooksbarn Primary (France), Whitehouse Primary (Mexico and Ivory Coast), St Mark's Elm Tree (USA and Italy) and Bader Primary School (Portugal, Czech Republic and Ghana).
The semi final between Italy and Ghana resulted in penalties, as the sides couldn’t be separated in open play. Ghana progressed to the final and went up against Holland after their 2-1 victory in their semi final against Australia.
The final provided an excellent spectacle with children cheering on their favourite team. The tournament ended with a close game with Holland scoring late in the game to win 1-0 and lift the schools world cup trophy.
Active Start Co-ordinator for Tees Active and Event organiser, Paul Bambrough said, “It was great to see the children cheering their school mates on with their flags and faces painted, it made for an excellent atmosphere and with some of the football being played to a very good standard a great day was enjoyed by all of those who attended”.
Tees Active provide a comprehensive range of football coaching classes at Billingham Forum, Thornaby Pavilion and Stockton Sports Centre. If you are interested in starting up an indoor 5-a-side league at one of our centres please contact the centre managers at Billingham Forum, Stockton Sports Centre or Thornaby Pavilion. Click here for venue contact details.