On Sunday 11th July the world’s best footballers will be playing in the biggest game of their careers when the World Cup final kicks off in South Africa.
Now local footballers have the opportunity to test their own skills on the same day at a charity five-a-side tournament in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation in Newcastle.
The ‘Robson Fives’ is being organised by Ian Carr and Neil Eddy at SoccerWorld on Westgate Road, Newcastle. The tournament has Junior’s, Men’s and Women’s sections and has already attracted teams from as far away as London.
Within the region, popular football fanzines for Sunderland, Newcastle United and Middlesbrough football clubs - A Love Supreme, True Faith and Fly Me To The Moon – are each entering sides ensuring strong local rivalry and a lively competition.
The Women’s section will be equally strong and Newcastle United Women’s Club and Chelsea Academy Ladies are just two of the teams taking part.
As well as being a fitting curtain raiser to the World Cup final, which will be screened in the bar following the tournament, players will also be helping to raise money for an important local cause.
Organiser Ian Carr, a call centre worker from Gateshead, says: “It seems appropriate to run this tournament on the same day as the World Cup final given how close Sir Bobby came to getting us there in 1990.
“We ran a similar five-a-side competition in aid of his charity last year and raised £535. This year we’re aiming to better that total and enjoy another day of competitive football in aid of a great cause.
“We’ve already attracted more teams and have opened the tournament up to women’s teams too. Newcastle United Women’s Club were one of the first teams to sign up and we appreciate their involvement.”
Thanks to incredible ongoing support the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation has now raised over £2.4 million to fight cancer for the benefit of patients in the north east and Cumbria.
In addition to equipping the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre, the charity has funded a specialist research nurse and doctor and enhanced a children’s waiting area at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care.
It has also contributed £30,000 to the new Teenage Cancer Unit at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle and all of these projects benefit cancer patients from across the entire region.
The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation operates within the Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Trust and a wider cancer research network to provide services not currently funded by the NHS.
Ruth Sutcliffe from Jesmond, vice captain of Newcastle United Women’s Club, says: “My grandma had cancer so sadly, like most people, I’ve had personal experience of the disease.
“We’re proud to support community events like this and we all admire Sir Bobby. As a team we’re keen to do what we can to help his charity to fight cancer in the north east.”
Ian adds: “We’re all looking forward to the Robson Fives and will be making it an occasion for the whole family to enjoy with bouncy castles, face painting, balloons, karaoke and a barbecue. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy World Cup final day and do something to help Sir Bobby’s charity too.”
Anyone who would like to enter a team for any section of the tournament can still do so by calling SoccerWorld on 0191 241 7707 or by visiting www.bobbyrobsontournament-2010.co.uk
