Annual School Football Festival kicks off

One of the biggest school football festivals in the country takes place this week as almost a thousand youngsters from across the district take to the field.

The Bradford District Schools 5 v 5 Football Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary this year at the start of a big week for football in the district.

The tournament kicks off today at Keighley’s Marley Activities and Coaching Centre.

There will be 120 teams of boys and girls between the ages of eight and 14 taking part in the festival.

The event, organised by Bradford Council’s Sport & Culture Service is for the first time supported by Bradford based Square Apple Café.

Bradford Council’s assistant director of sport and culture Phil Barker said: “Primary and secondary school pupils from all over the district will be taking part in this five-a-side festival and I hope friends and relatives will go along and give them some support.

“It is important that young people are provided with enjoyable opportunities to take part in physical activity and sport.

“It is a big sporting week with Bradford City going for promotion on Saturday in the league one play off final against Millwall. We hope everyone at the five-a-side festival can take inspiration from the Bantams and give it their all.”

All members of the winning and runner-up squads in each of the six age groups ( from under nines up to under 14s) will receive a leather football and commemorative t-shirt respectively. Every participant at the event will also receive an attendance certificate.

Opportunities for children to get active over the February half-term

Children across the Bradford district are invited to try out some new sports, reignite an interest in more traditionally popular sports or bust some moves dance at classes over the February half-term holidays.

Bradford Council’s sport and leisure service is organising the Base Camps and Dance Camps which are the ideal way to keep youngsters occupied during the school break.

The Base Camps offer the opportunity for children aged 5 to 13 to try out activities like trampolining, dodge ball and volleyball as well as have a go at more popular sports such as football, cricket, basketball and athletics.

The camps will take place at Zara Sports Centre Heaton from Monday 20 to Friday 24 February and at Richard Dunn Sports Centre from Tuesday 21 to Thursday 23.

The sessions run from 9am to 3.30pm and kids will need to bring suitable kit with trainers and a packed lunch with drinks.

Children can attend the full five day or three day camps or can just do individual days.

The five day camp cost £56 for the first child and £42 for additional children. The three day camp costs £34 per child £26 for additional children and day sessions cost £14 a child. Bradford Leisure cardholders (formerly Passport to Leisure) can take part in day sessions for £11.

The Dance Camps are being led by Dance for Life and include street dance, break dance and musical theatre. On the final day of Dance Camp the youngsters will hold a performance to show off their newly acquired skills.

The Dance camps will be at Zara Sports Centre Heaton from Monday 20 to Friday 24 February from 10am – 3.00pm. Children can attend the full five day or can just do individual days.

The five day camp costs £50 for the first child and £38 for additional children and day sessions cost £12. Bradford Leisure cardholders (formerly Passport to Leisure) can take part in day sessions for £9.

Coun Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Sport and Sustainability, said: “Our Base Camps and Dance Camps are always very popular and are a great way for youngsters to try things, improve their skills and make new friends in a safe and enjoyable environment. I’m sure they will have lots of fun.”

Places are limited so booking is essential. People can book online at www.bradford.gov.uk/sport or telephone Bradford Council’s Community Sports and Activities Development Unit on 01274 522750 or email sportsunit@bradford.gov.uk
 

Feb half term Dance Camp information

Hanson Academy School Games Partnership U9 Open Football League Success

Joining us this week to talk about the recent School Games Partnership U9 Open Football League Tournament is Jack Summers who organises the event.

The start of the 2016/17 competition calendar saw fourteen teams from twelve different Primary Schools in the Hanson Academy Partnership compete in the U9 Open Football League at Goals Soccer Centre, Bradford.

The freshly laid pitches at Goals and the bright sunny weather perfectly set up the first round of games.

Over the following weeks over 150 boys and girls competed to qualify for the Partnership Finals.  However, a big part of our competition relates to the cultural aspects of the School Games so while ultimately the players are committed to winning they are also tasked with displaying one of the six School Games Values.

The Value on show for the U9 Football was PASSION.

All the teams were a credit to their school and should be extremely proud of their efforts.

After two tightly contested leagues five teams qualified for the overall finals.

The finals were closer than could have been anticipated with three teams finishing in joint third place.

The overall standings were: (1) Thackley Primary School (2) Low Ash Primary School (3) Cavendish Primary School (3) Rainbow Primary School (3) Wellington Primary School.

Congratulations and Well Done to Thackley and Low Ash who, as a result of finishing 1^st and 2^nd respectively, have qualified for the Bradford Summer Games in 2017.

To round off what was a fantastic event, the final teams and the Young Ambassadors from Hanson Academy came together for a group photo and even embraced the Dab!

You can find more of the action, see future events and check out the fantastic work going on in the other School Games Partnerships across Bradford by checking out the following twitter feeds:

@HansonSGO, @OakbankSGO, @BecSchCommunity, @WestBradSG, @BfdSchoolGames

Participating Schools: High Crags Academy, St. Francis Catholic Primary School, Killinghall Primary School, Thackley Primary School, Wellington Primary School, Lapage Primary School, Fagley Primary School, Low Ash Primary School (3 teams), Cavendish Primary School, Westbourne Primary School, Westminster Primary School and Rainbow Primary School.