Posted: 17/06/15
Students and staff in feast of football
Soccer-loving students and staff swapped the classroom for the beautiful game in West Nottinghamshire College’s end-of-year tournament.
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Female footballers in action
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Heading towards the byline with a mazy dribble
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Preparing to float a lofty ball into the box
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An attempt on goal from outside the penalty area
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The women's tournament proved to be a highly-competitive affair
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A defender prepares to beak-up a close one-two in the men's tournament
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Early anticipation sees the goalkeeper prepare to make a comfortable save
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Intelligent positioning by the defender appears to frustrate the attacker's attempt at a quick turn
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Players stand their ground against an attack-minded opponent
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A goal-bound effort looks set to test the keeper
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Five Shades of Awesome celebrate being crowned winners of the women's tournament, joined by Nathan Edge and his guide dog Hudson
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The Dragons celebrate their victory in the men's tournament, joined by Nathan Edge and guide dog Hudson
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Student Daisy Prince (left) signs up to the This Girl Can campaign, pictured with Denise Richards, of Sport Nottinghamshire
Players from 18 teams battled it out in a five-a-side competition on the sports field at the Derby Road campus, Mansfield, last week (Friday 12 June, 2015).
It saw teams compete in a series of group games, with the winners and runners-up progressing to the knock-out phase – and the chance to be crowned college champions.
As well as being the main sporting finalé to the academic year, the tournament was also held to raise awareness of equality and diversity; in particular race, gender, sexual orientation and disability.
Dubbed ‘West Notts United’, it consisted of male and female competitions involving teams from each college site – with squads consisting of between five and eight players – plus a side representing Nottinghamshire Police.
‘Five Shades of Awesome’ – consisting of students Abbie Turner, Emily Colligan, Vesta Daukintyte, Courtney Shaw and Karolina Surlas, and tutors Rachael Evans, Jade Rabjohn and Lynsey Hanson – won the women’s tournament after thrashing ‘Cad’s Army’ 6-0 in the final.
Winner of the men’s tournament was ‘The Dragons’ – made up of students Oliver Ashton and Keenan Leeds, staff members Nathan Adams and Jake Kirk, and former Students’ Union presidents James Stafford and Will Jordan – who overcame ‘Damo’s Brickies’ 6-3 in the decider.
Medals were presented to the winners and runners-up by blind former student Nathan Edge – accompanied by his guide dog Hudson – while the champions also received the prestigious team trophy.
Other activities included powerchair football ‘taster’ sessions by Nottinghamshire Powerchair FC in the sports hall, with live music, outdoor games and entertainment also adding to the carnival atmosphere.
The event – jointly organised by sport development team leader Rob Shaw and equality and diversity intern Alex Stone – was backed by several organisations and charities, who promoted their services and raised awareness of events happening in the community.
These included Ashfield Voluntary Action, Better Together, Mansfield District Leisure Trust, Nottinghamshire County Council Youth Services, Stonewall, and Sport Nottinghamshire, who encouraged women to sign-up to the This Girl Can campaign.
Rob Shaw, from the sport development team, said: “There was a fantastic atmosphere throughout the day, with teams getting into the competitive spirit supported by passionate and vocal spectators. It was great to see players of all abilities take part and I was especially pleased with the high level of female participation, which reflects the growing popularity of women’s football.
“Furthermore, the powerchair football sessions proved that having a disability is certainly no barrier to enjoying the sport.
“Congratulations to the winning teams and a big thanks to our partner organisations, not to mention our hard-working staff and student volunteers, who did a superb job in ensuring the tournament was a fitting finalé to the college year.”
