The ninth annual Teenage Kicks took place at Haggerston Park last month with over 300 young people taking part competing across five age and gender categories. 'Team SkyWay' won the under 12’s category. It was a tight game, with 'Team Skyway' lagging behind but coming back to win 2-1. It was Newington Rangers who claimed the under 14’s title and Arsenal in the Community overcame the opposition in the under 16’s category. Team SkyWay claimed an exciting victory again with the older team winning the under 19’s category thanks to a last minute goal in the final and Team Abi lifted the trophy in the girl’s competition. To see pictures of the winning teams celebrating, click here.
Due to heavy rain, the event was delayed but thanks to the efforts of the staff and volunteers our games went on regardless and was a great success! This year twelve volunteers helped out on the day doing all sorts, from marshalling teams to their pitches (or match areas) to helping with trophy presentations. Without them braving the weather and giving up their time we would be unable to put this tournament on year after year so SkyWay owes them all a massive thank you!
This year also saw the continuation of SkyWay’s Event Manager programme. The programme took on four volunteers in the months leading up to Teenage Kicks to aid with the organisation of the tournament. Brenda, Ebenezer, Esther and Dolapo worked with SkyWay's very own Toks to make the day possible - so a big thank you to them as well!
At an event like Teenage Kicks, feeding the hundreds of hungry young footballers can be quite a challenge! Luckily, at this year’s event several local businesses were generous enough to donate fruit, bottles of water, cereal bars and other snacks. So SkyWay would like to thank Marks and Spencer, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Essex Food Service and Poundland for helping out.
At the last few Teenage Kicks tournaments a film documenting the event has been made - this year will be no exception. The film, which will follow the progress of Team SkyWay in their quest to be crowned champions of the under 12’s category, is in the process of being edited ready for its premier. Check out the SkyWay website for details of when and where it will be showing, or add SkyWay Charity as a friend on Facebook for updates on the film and other things going on at SkyWay. If you can’t wait for this year’s film then have a look at TK in the Park (part one, part two), the film made at last year’s event!
