Children bring football home to Chesterton recreation ground

A group of children kick-started the summer holidays and brought football home to Chesterton Recreation Ground when they came together for a tournament.

Organised by Cambridge City Council’s Children and Young People’s Participation Service (ChYpPS) team, the event saw children from the King’s Hedges, Abbey, Chesterton and Cherry Hinton areas of Cambridge compete to win the accolade of football champions of the city.

After a series of tight matches, a team from Jack Warren Green in Abbey proved they could not be beaten and romped to victory to win the title.

After the event all the children went to the council’s Brown’s Field Community Centre to celebrate their footballing prowess with pizza and games.

Cllr Richard Johnson, Executive Councillor for Communities, presented the winning team with medals and every player who took part received a certificate.

Cllr Johnson, said: “It was clear from the energy and enthusiasm of the children who took part in this inaugural inter-reccy tournament that they wanted to give it their all as they played for pride and their area.

“Well done to all who took part – they fully deserved their certificates and congratulations go to the winners from Jack Warren Green.”

The football tournament was part of the council’s PlayDaze programme, which offers free outdoor activities for families across Cambridge parks and open spaces during the summer holidays.

This year’s PlayDaze activities focus on making the most of recycled materials and there are plenty of opportunities for children to get involved in arts and crafts, sports, games and more.

All the activities will take place in Cambridge parks and open spaces every weekday until Friday 24 August.

The programme includes Big Wednesdays which have more of a festival feel and are taking place on 8, 15 and 22 August with music, arts, face painting, sport and entertainment for the whole family.

For the full PlayDaze programme go to www.cambridge.gov.uk/playdaze, follow the link on Facebook at www.facebook.com/chypps or call 01223 457873.

ChYpPS have worked with University of Cambridge Museums, Cambridge Fish Preservation and Angling Society and Amey to put on the programme.