The One Leisure Outdoor Centre, in St Ives, provided the stage for two days of highly-skilled football action this weekend. The Godmanchester Rovers Youth FC tournament saw over 850 local footballers compete across 10 categories.

Medals were presented to one hundred and twenty Under 7 and Under 8 players, who had provided the crowds with some scintillating action-packed games. As has become tradition, ‘Grover’ the Godmanchester Rovers Youth FC mascot, was also on hand to entertain the players with his usual antics.

In the competitive categories there was an outstanding level of commitment, skill, and tactical awareness shown by all the teams who entertained the crowds with beautiful team football, amazing individual technique, and some remarkable goalkeeping performances.
There were brilliant victories from St Ives Rangers Blue Sox (pictured) in the Under 9 and Under 12 categories respectively. A deserving Isleham FC picked up the title as Under 10 champions, whilst St Neots Town Youth Sky ran out as worthy winners in the Under 11’s.
A notable and mature performance from Huntingdon Rowdies U12 team saw them celebrating success as winners in the Under 13 category, despite playing a year up against many more experienced teams. There was also a wonderful victory for Yaxley FC Girls who won the cup in the U13/U14 Girls category.

There was also a brace of home triumphs to celebrate. The first came on Saturday, as the Godmanchester Rovers U12 Girls Blues went the entire tournament without conceding a goal as they won their first ever trophy in the Under 11/Under 12 Girls category. The second home triumph saw the Godmanchester Rovers U14 Whites deservingly win their home tournament with a dazzling display on Sunday.

Godmanchester Rovers Youth chairman Mike Luxford said: “This was a new venue for our tournament and it went extremely well. The weather was great, the facilities were fantastic and we’ve already had plenty of excellent feedback. I’d like to place on record my thanks to 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 next year!”

For more pictures of the weekend view the tournament gallery here

There was further good news for the Godmanchester Rovers U14 Whites as they scooped the winners’ draw to earn a tour of Wembley Stadium for a squad of 10 players and two coaches. There was also individual success for the U11 Paxton Navy team, as Josh won the top raffle prize of a brand-new bike.

After so much dazzling football, we look forward to finding out if the senior players can perform to the same standard at this years World Cup in Russia. If they reach the levels of performance we saw from all the teams this weekend they will certainly be assured of victory.

Date for your diary! We have already (subject to confirmation from the FA) booked next year’s tournament for Saturday 8th June and Sunday 9th June 2019 at the One Leisure Outdoor Centre, St Ives - make a note in your diaries!