While the world’s elite footballers are fighting it out for the World Cup in Russia, the battle to decide which is the best team in Newcastle’s business community has already been decided.
Fifteen mixed five-a-side teams drawn from the city’s professional services firms have taken part in the inaugural Charity Shield competition, which was hosted by Hay & Kilner Law Firm to raise money for Newcastle charity The People’s Kitchen.
Organised by members of the Newcastle Young Professionals Forum and held at the Goals Newcastle centre in Gosforth, a day of intense competition eventually saw Ryecroft Glenton beating rivals from Lycetts in a thrilling final.
A total of £1,500 was raised on the day for The People’s Kitchen, which is Hay & Kilner’s charity of the year and which has been supporting homeless and disadvantaged people in the Newcastle area since 1985.
Originally established in 2003, the Newcastle Young Professionals Forum provides a community in which younger members of the regional business community come together to share good ideas, best practice and knowledge in an effort to develop and progress in their chosen profession, and to business develop relationships that will benefit them through their careers.
Event organiser Tom Clarke of Hay & Kilner, who sits on the Forum’s committee, says: “We had an excellent response to what we’re planning to be the first of many Charity Shield competitions, and while the quality of play might not quite match the standards on show in Russia, the teams more than made up for it with their enthusiasm and energy.
“The Newcastle Young Professionals Forum is an excellent way for those forging their careers in the city to get to know each other better, and to be able to use this environment to raise money for such a worthwhile charity is especially pleasing.”
For more information on the Newcastle Young Professionals Forum, visit www.newcastleypf.co.uk