Ten Pembrokeshire and two Carmarthenshire schools played in the Fair Trade Euro 2016, the third Fairtrade football tournament hosted by Taverspite CP, last Friday.

 

Sponsored by Hub Cymru Africa, the Fairtrade tournament was organised by Fair Trade In Football Campaign Founder Sharron Hardwick, with Naomi Rees and Phillip Evans, and Tavernspite teacher's Julie Houghton and Richard Henton, supported by Fair Trade Wales.

 

Participating teams represented twelve of this year’s Euro qualifying countries, playing with Fairtrade stitched footballs, bearing Fair Trade In Football Campaign Logos.

 

Schools got into the Fairtrade spirit. Hosts Tavernspite provided a warm welcome and Fairtrade refreshments, their cheer leaders demonstrated acrobatic skills.

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Johnstown, Austria, and Stepaside, France, brought fans, some in fancy dress, with flags and Fairtrade posters. Johnstown’s cheer leaders were yodelling support!

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St Oswald's, Wales, created Welsh Fairtrade posters. New comers Pembroke Dock, Belgium, brought a Fairtrade fact filled presentation board, and designed Fairtrade cotton t-shirt kits.

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Tenby, Sweden, and St Teilos, Iceland, had printed t-shirts, whilst Llys Hywel, Croatia, had their Fairtrade designed bibs.

 

Saundersfoot’s young Fairtrade Steering group team played  fearless football as Northern Ireland.  Broadhaven, Albania, showed off some super skills!

 

The Fairtrade tournament was complemented by visiting teachers who praised the hosts, the fun atmosphere and organisation.

Ceri Phillips, Swansea Community Trust, came along to support Fairtrade. Ceri noted the good standards of Ysgol Dyffryn Taf referees.

 

Schools played some good football and competition was close.  Semi Finalists were:

 

Tavernspite, England, v Pembroke Dock, Belgium; and Tenby, Sweden, v Neyland, Spain.

 

Sweden and Belgium were semi final winners, so England and Spain played a competitively close 3rd place play off, with Phillip Evans, Cleddau Warrior’s player, as referee.

 

Neyland, Belgium, gained 3rd place.

After a 2-1 victory in the final, Tenby, Sweden, took the Fair Trade Euro 2016 Cup, with Pembroke Dock runners up; both displaying some great skills.

 

Awards, sponsored by New Life Church, were medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed teams, presented by Sharron Hardwick. Every participant had a certificate and a Fairtrade Geo Bar.

 

Phillip Evans decided the boy’s Golden Boot Winner as Miles, Tenby Juniors, and Ceri Phillips was particularly impressed by the skills of Carys, Tavernspite, gaining the Girl’s Golden Boot.

 

Stepping in with only a week’s notice Mary Immaculate won the Fair Play Award, with such short notice they still managed to make flags and get kits in Red and White Poland colours!

 

"Thanks to everyone involved for making the Fair Trade Euros such fun. The exemplary behaviour of all participants could teach professional footballers!  This is more than just a tournament it's about fairness, bringing schools together and

supporting Sialkot football workers. Fairtrade guarantees a fair deal. Fairtrade football premiums have already provided water filtration systems, free eye care and bus transport, a fair price shop and school equipment. We can make a difference." concludes Sharron.

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To make the switch to play Fairtrade football buy Fairtrade sports balls from: www.balasport.co.uk

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For information see: www.fairtradeinfootball.com