The second Fair Trade World Cup and fifth Fairtrade football tournament hosted by Taverspite CP took place last Friday.

 

Funded by Hub Cymru Africa’s Grant programme, the Fairtrade tournament was organised by Fair Trade In Football Campaign Founder Sharron Hardwick, Tavernspite teachers Julie Houghton and Richard Henton, with helpers Naomi Rees and Phillip Evans

Twelve local primary school teams represented World Cup qualifying Fairtrade Producer Countries using Fairtrade stitched footballs.

 

Schools played with Fairtrade spirit creating a lovely atmosphere. Llys Hywel (Panama) made Fairtrade bibs and an impressive Fairtrade fact file. Golden Grove (Argentina) had personalised T-Shirts donated by Tees R Us. St Teilos, (Colombia), and Hafan Y Mor (Tunisia) had Fairtrade Country tops too. 

Stepaside (Egypt) carried flags and a giant Fairtrade poster, Neyland (Peru) made flags.

Nigeria, Mary Immaculate, class 5 attended wearing homemade tie-dyed shirts. Their rousing support and top class Fairtrade posters using Fairtrade products, with QR links to Fairtrade and climate change activities were fabulous!

St Oswald's (Costa Rica) wore brilliantly designed shirts, bringing some of their school’s fantastic posters.

 

St Marks (Senegal), 2014 Fair Trade World Cup Champions, brought flags and performed their Senegalese team dance after practising hard with Miss Carpenter!

Pembroke Dock (Uruguay) wore team shirts making an impressive multimedia display. Their school’s been excellent in promoting Fairtrade during assemblies for parents.
Tenby VC (Brazil) played great football, reaching the semi-finals.

Hosts Tavernspite (Mexico) pupils Ruben and Noah did fantastic filming fortheFairtade Foundation Schools team. Class 4 made Fairtrade Football Mexico posters; Angus, Bala Sport said they’re “Superb”.

The Fairtrade tournament organisation and atmosphere was complemented by visiting teachers, saying how much they enjoyed it.

 

Dyffryn Taf pupils officiated games, Philip Evans refereed the final, Naomi Rees calculated scores, all doing excellent jobs. Ceri Phillips, Swansea Community Trust attended, his help was invaluable, he was our Fair Trade World Cup VAR!

Teams played entertaining football. Both semi-finals went to penalties. Year 5 Mary Immaculate team battled to beat favourites Tenby, their super keeper made a hattrick of saves! St Marks pipped Stepaside to the final.

 

After a 3-1 victory in the final Nigeria (Mary Immaculate) took the Fair Trade World Cup Trophy, with St Marks (Senegal) as runners-up.

 

Medals were presented to 1st, 2nd and Semi-finalists. Every participant had a certificate and Fairtrade Maltesers.

Ceri Philips awarded Male Player Of The Tournament to James, Stepaside. Phillip Evans selected Female Player of the Tournament, Libby, St Marks, presenting Fairtrade Chocolates to Colombia’ Keeper for save of the tournament and Nigeria’s Keeper for his hattrick of saves.

Tavernspite won the Fair Play Award for their pupil’s exemplary efforts as helpers and hosts.

 

"Thanks to everyone for making the Fair Trade World Cup such fun. It was lovely to see the teams in their colourful customised kits, with flags and posters playing exciting Fairtrade football. The exemplary behaviour of all participants is a credit to the schools. This’s more than just a tournament, it's about fairness, bringing schools together and supporting Sialkot football workers. We have the power to make a difference." said Sharron.

 

Fairtrade guarantees a fair deal. Bala Sport Fairtrade football premiums have already funded a community water filtration system, free eye care and work transport, a fair price shop, school equipment and more.

 

Find Fairtrade Foundation resources including World Cup Factsheets:www.schools.fairtrade.org.uk/resource 
Buy Fairtrade sports balls: www.balasport.co.uk 
Get Involved: www.fairtradeinfootball.com