Goals Soccer Centre was the setting for one of the many events held as part of Wimbledon’s Sports Week
GOALS Soccer Centre hosted Wimbledon Sports Week’s first ever five-a-side football competition in New Malden on Monday night.
Wimbledon businesses and organisations formed 12 teams, with each playing three group games followed by a potential semi-final and final.
The aim of the tournament is to bring businesses together and help team building in an informal setting to promote community cohesion.
Ivor Heller, Commercial Director at AFC Wimbledon, said: “Football totally brings communities together.
“Along with Sussex County Cricket Club, we’re delighted to be amongst those lending a hand and this is a great way for Merton to mix.”
“AFC is a community club, but we do it and we mean it.”
The club has links with St. Ann’s School and are raising money for a school hydrotherapy pool in the home game against York in November.
AFC had two teams in the tournament and a further two in the golf day at The Royal Wimbledon Golf Club Wednesday.
Along with AFC, Southwest Trains and the Wimbledon Guardian were represented in the tournament.
The money raised from the tournament goes towards the activities at the station’s forecourt and into promoting sports week’s other events.
It is a charitable event, and any of the money left over will go towards a second sports week next year, with Lydia Reynolds, event organiser, hoping for it to become a regular event.
She said: “It’s been a really good night. It’s brought businesses together and it’s great to have AFC Wimbledon here headlining the community effort.”
AFC Supporters overcame The Best of Wimbledon 2-1 in a closely fought final and Goals General Manger Nathan Woodbridge, 27, said: “The standard of the football’s been surprisingly good!
“We’re in it for the long term and in the future hopefully it’ll get bigger and bigger.”
Teams: Merton Council, The Best of Wimbledon, Down 2 Earth, AFC supporters, Nuffleld Health, Paul Strank, Goals, WPGC, YMCA, South West Trains, AFC supporters, Wimbledon Guardian
