Charity brings home the University of Sunderland’s Community Football Cup
The University of Sunderland and organisations across the city have joined forces for a football tournament that would give the FA Cup a run for its money.
The University’s Community Football Tournament was set up to promote and celebrate the work of its partners and their efforts to strengthen the communities they serve.
Ten teams representing a range of charities and organisations including 4Louis, Salvation Army, Northumbria Police, The Fans Museum and Sunderland Samba FC competed against staff and students from the University at the Beacon of Light to win the University’s Community Football Cup.
After a full day of matches, Sunderland Samba FC came out on top, beating the University’s very own Team Sunderland 2-0.
Sunderland Samba FC is a community football club which provides football, volunteering, coaching, youth work and international exchange opportunities for young people.
Ayodeji Aleshinloye, Captain of the Sunderland Samba team, said: “We’re very excited to win the Community Football Tournament. All of our lads turned up and played amazingly and it feels great to be recognised for our work in the community.”
This tournament was organised by the University in partnership with its sports engagement service, Team Sunderland.
Ollie Barnett, Student Engagement Officer at Team Sunderland, said: “The University of Sunderland Community Football Tournament was a fantastic opportunity for all the University’s partners and external organisations to get together and celebrate all the combined work they do.
“The aim of the day was to create a fun and exciting event in which partners, charities and organisations can spread awareness of their service.”
Ben Hodgson, Student Journey Head of Engagement and Projects at the University, said: “This event is a brilliant example of what can be achieved as a result of collaboration between organisations across the city.
“We hope by using sport as a vehicle, we will provide a great showcase for services and charities, helping to raise their profile and highlighting some of the excellent support available to the people of Sunderland.
“The University takes its role as a civic institution and our mission to be truly ‘life-changing’ seriously – it is our hope that the success of this event will lead to it becoming a fixture in the city of Sunderland calendar.”