The One Leisure Outdoor Centre, in St Ives, provided the stage for two days of turbo-charged football action over the recent weekend (8th/9th June 2019). The Godmanchester Rovers Youth FC tournament saw over 900 footballers come from far-and-wide to compete across 9 age categories.
Medals were presented to ninety Under 8 players, who had braved the downpours on Saturday and provided the crowds with some red-hot games to warm them up. As has become tradition, ‘Grover’ the Godmanchester Rovers Youth FC mascot, was also on hand to entertain the younger players.

In the competitive categories an outstanding level of skill, commitment, and tactical awareness was shown by all the teams. The crowds were entertained with some gorgeous team football, amazing individual technique, and some unbelievable goalkeeping performances.

There were outstanding victories from Huntingdon Rowdies Whites in the Under 12 and Under 13 categories respectively. A deserving IPTA Peterborough picked up the title as Under 9 champions, whilst Letchworth Eagles ran out as worthy winners in the Under 11’s and St Ives Town had a superb tournament as they won the U15 cup.
A notable and mature performance from Hitchin Town Youth saw them celebrating success as winners in the Under 14 category. There was also a wonderful victory for Haddenham Girls who won the cup in the U12/U13 Girls category.
There was also home triumph to celebrate on Saturday as the Godmanchester Rovers U10 Blues won a very competitive category to deservingly win their home tournament with a dazzling display.

Godmanchester Rovers Youth chairman Roy Dodson said: “I’d like to congratulate all the teams who participated in such a festival of youth football. The weather was a challenge on the Saturday, but the young players showed outstanding skill and tenacity despite the inclement conditions. Thankfully the sun shone on us come Sunday! I’d like to place on record my thanks to all the volunteers who worked so tirelessly to make the event such a great success, and to the management and staff at St Ives Outdoor Centre for their hospitality and support. I’m pleased to say we will definitely be back even bigger and better next year!”

After so much spectacular football, we look forward to finding out if the England women’s team can perform to the same standard at the Women’s World Cup in France. If they reach the levels of performance we saw from all the teams this weekend they will certainly be assured of victory.

2019 Tournament Roll of honour
U9 - IPTA Peterborough
U10 - Godmanchester Rovers Youth
U12/13 Girls - Haddenham Girls
U11 - Letchworth Eagles
U12 - Huntingdon Rowdies Whites
U13 - Huntingdon Rowdies Whites
U14 - Hitchin Town Youth
U15 - St. Ives Town Purple