News Archive

Summertown Stars NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2009

Summertown Stars 5 a side Tournament 16th/17th June, 2007

Oxford is awash with traditions: May morning, Eights Week, Japanese tourists failing to negotiate the Cherwell aboard a punt. But just off the ring road every year is one of the town’s more endearing annual events: the Summertown Stars Five-a-side football tournament. For more than 25 years, for one mid-summer weekend the Five Mile Drive pitches have rung to the excited sound of junior sport. Plus the yelp of at least one adult helper cursing because they have burned their fingers on the barbecue.

This year saw the biggest and best Summertown tournament in a generation. More than 115 teams from across Oxfordshire headed along Five Mile Drive over the weekend of 16/17 June. For the first time, this year these included girls teams, taking part in a u-10 and u-12 competition on the Sunday.

Things began, as always, with the under eights competition on Saturday morning. FA rules now insist that smaller children cannot take part in knock-out competition. So the 20 teams involved, some of whom had come from as far away as Cheltenham, played a round robin tournament, in four groups of five. Some of the football on display belied the youth of the children and was full of skill and endeavour. And though the FA insist that there can be no winners at this level, at this tournament there definitely were winners, 20 of them.

The under-10s followed, in four groups of four teams, with the winners of each group progressing to a semi-final then a final. In a localised tussle, Cumnor A won it in the end, beating Cumnor B on penalties.

In between showers, which were getting heavier by the minute, spectators enjoyed some excellent refreshments including a spectacular barbecue, much of the produce for which was supplied by Marks and Spencer.

The afternoon belonged to the under-12s. Again, 20 teams competed in a high-spirited contest, won by Kidlington A who beat Garden City, on penalties, in the final.

After a damp and soggy night, Sunday dawned much brighter. The under-9s competition, however, was delayed while we awaited the arrival of the teams from the Greenhouse Bethwin club. They could be forgiven their tardiness, however, as they had come all the way from Peckham in South London. While waiting for the competition to start, players, spectators and visitors alike were taking the opportunity to view the Barclays Premiership trophy which, thanks to the generosity of Barclays, was on display all day, raising money for the Oxford Childrens’ Hospital. More than £1000 was collected for what is a wonderful cause.

When the under 9s eventually kicked off, Banbury United Youth beat Summertown in the final. And a home victory was not forthcoming in the u-11s either, where two Summertown teams were beaten in the semi finals. In a really hard-fought, skilful final, Northway beat St Edmunds yet again on penalties.

The afternoon was given over to the girls. It was the largest girls tournament (in their respective age groups) in Oxfordshire this summer, with eight under-10 teams playing each other in a round robin and 11 under-12 teams competing in a league then knock-out format. In the younger age group St Edmunds came out on top with Summertown second, while in the u-12s Carterton beat Bloxham on penalties in the final.

It was a great weekend of football, played in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere more akin to a village fete. Thanks are due to George Levvy and the organising committee for producing a tournament that was as efficient as it was fun. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year.

Barclays brings joy to CHOX

Barclays Plc generously brought the Barclays Premiership trophy to Summertown Stars AFC annual 5 a-side football tournament on 17th June. The Stars raised £701.30 for the Oxford Children’s Hospital (CHOX) from viewing and photography donations. A further £294 was raised by CHOX representatives selling raffle tickets. Mya Harris, who suffers from spina bifida, came along to the event with her family to represent the children at the hospital, and judging by the smile on her face, she thoroughly enjoyed the day!

Mya Harris (3rd from the left), with her family

Summertown host great afternoon to Greenhouse Bethwin

20th April 2007

In temperatures more fitting to a cricket World Cup, on Sunday 15 April Summertown played host to three teams from the Greenhouse Bethwin club that draws its players from the North Peckham estate in London. And it wasn’t just the sun that required the use of sunglasses. Just before kick off, the Peckham lads emerged from the Five Mile Drive dressing rooms decked out in kit fashioned in the most vibrant of fluorescent yellow. Apparently, like many decisions at this most forward-looking of community clubs, the choice of apparel was democratically chosen by the players. Clearly these are lads who like to stand out in a crowd. 40 Peckham players had made the journey to Oxford, together with half a dozen of their coaches. They were here to take on Summertown’s u10s, u-13s and u-15s. All three matches kicked off simultaneously, which, with all those yellow shirts tearing around, gave Five Mile Drive the appearance of Port Meadow when all the buttercups are out.

Greenhouse Bethwin prides itself on instilling discipline and sportsmanship in its players. And all three games were played in magnificent spirit, a brilliant example of the way football – if taught as it is at Greenhouse Bethwin - can bring order and stability into the most difficult and deprived of areas. With a bunch of enthusiastic and encouraging coaches developing good-tempered and skill-oriented teams, Greenhouse Bethwin produce junior football as it should be played.

The under-10s played two games. The first was a hard fought 1-1 draw, the second an easy 7-1 win for the home side. In the u-13 fixture, the result was reversed, the skilful, fluid movement of the visitors too much for the Summertown defence. The u-15 game ended 3-3, a game full of effort and endeavour than belied a hard, bumpy surface.

Afterwards, the exhausted, thirsty players were treated to a wonderful buffet, provided by the Summertown parents. It was a day enjoyed enormously by both parties. Michael de Giorgio, the chief executive of the Greenhouse charity that funds the football activities in Peckham, said his players were so excited by the trip (the first outside London for an overwhelming majority of the boys) they couldn’t wait for more links between the two clubs. Already one of the Greenhouse boys is to accompany the Summertown u-15s on their tour to Holland in May, several Bethwin teams are planning to enter the Summertown 5-a-side tournament in June and plans are afoot for a string of pre-season encounters. This could be the start of a long friendship…

The Barclays Premiership Trophy brought to Summertown Stars 5 a-side tournament by Barclays Bank.

26th March 2007                                  **PRESS RELEASE**

Summertown Stars AFC are delighted to announce that Barclays Plc have generously arranged for the Barclays Premiership Trophy to be present at the clubs annual 5 a-side football tournament to be held in June 2007. The money raised from having the Barclays Premiership Trophy on show will be shared with the Oxford Children’s Hospital.

Jonathan Finnerty, Summertown Stars deputy chairman said, “The club is aware of its community responsibilities, and having the Barclays Premiership Trophy at our tournament to help raise money for such an excellent local charity is great news”.

Gordon Beach, who is on the fund raising committee of the Oxford Children’s Hospital said, “It is fantastic that money will be raised for the Oxford Children’s Hospital by children playing football and having fun. It should be a very special day.”

Jim White, the chairman of Summertown Stars commented, “We are very grateful to Barclays for arranging the Barclays Premiership Trophy to be present at the Summertown Stars AFC annual 5 a-side tournament. It would be nice to think that one day, one of the players at our tournament may be competing for the trophy for real.”

The Barclays Premiership Trophy can be seen at The Recreation Grounds, Five Mile Drive, Oxford on Sunday, 17th June between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Registration forms for teams who wish to take part in the tournament can be found on www.summertownstars.org.uk

The Oxford Children’s Hospital Campaign is a part of the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Charitable Fund, registered charity number 1057295.

Soccer for Africa

15th March 2007

Summertown Stars Girls U10 team are delighted that links have been established with Lwandle Primary School in South Africa, whereby used (but not worn out) sports kit will be collected and sent to the school.

Lwandle Primary School is situated in Khayelitsha and caters for children from particularly poor backgrounds. The Principal of the school, Mr. Stanley Maqubela, commented, “As a school we would appreciate your efforts to organise kit for our learners that they can use for soccer. We also appreciate the fact that we establish a relationship with your club, for the development of soccer.  The equipment (kit) that you will be sending to our school will alleviate the burden of our school having to buy school kit for all the teams.  Our parents, SGB and educators would greatly appreciate your efforts to assist their school in this kind of Project... Hoping that our relationship with your club will grow from strength to strength.”

Barclays Bank have kindly donated t-shirts and tote bags to the project and any parent or player (boy or girl) that has unwanted suitable clean kit that can be sent to Lwandle Primary school, should place the items in the collection box situated in the number 2 changing room in the clubhouse.

For more information on Lwandle Primary School, please visit www.khanya.co.za

Pictures to follow

ENGLAND LADIES INSPIRE THE STARS

12th March 2007

Thirteen enthusiastic Summertown Stars players, joined by nine brave parents, went to Wycombe to watch England Ladies play Scotland Ladies in an international friendly match on Sunday, 11 March 2007.

The first half was played mainly in the Scottish half, with England breaking quickly and looking dangerous with every move. Fara Williams, the Everton midfielder, fired in the only goal of the game, with a sensational strike from outside of the box, which gave Scotland’s keeper no chance. Sue Smith, the Leeds United forward was very lively, and made some telling crosses into the penalty area, but none could be converted. The second half was evenly contested, with both teams failing to take their chances. Scotland made the England goalkeeper Carly Telford, pull off a great diving save, but England always looked in control, and deservedly won 1-0.

The Summertown Stars girls shouted their support for England for all of their worth, and made up their own chant. Some of the other supporters learnt the words and joined in! After the match some of the England players came over to their supporters, and were happy to sign autographs and pose for photographs. A good day was had by all.

Sue Smith, the Leeds United and England forward with some of the Stars

Anita Asante, the Arsenal and England midfielder with two lucky Stars

One of the Summertown parents lets the occasion go to their head!

(March 12th 2007)

Tesco Sport for Schools and Clubs 

Thank you to all players, parents and managers who collected in excess of 1,300 Tesco sport vouchers for Summertown Stars AFC.

The vouchers were used to acquire a 2-in-1 Target Goal which is the perfect tool for teaching young budding footballers the art of goal scoring! The multi-purpose lightweight goal with detachable target is suitable for indoor and outdoor use and comes complete with carry/storage bag. One coaching method which you will not find in any training manual is illustrated by some of the U10 and U12 girls in the photograph – any coach who is brave enough to put their head through one of the holes in the target, might inspire improved shooting accuracy in their team!

(Feb 19th 2007)

Stars play away to South London's Greenhouse Bethwin

Summertown’s u-15s have suffered more than their share of injuries this season. But the problems they face are as another compared to those confronting Greenhouse Bethwin, a side from the North Peckham estate in London, the place where Damilola Taylor lived. Earlier in the season, one of their team was shot 16 times in a gang-related killing.

No wonder, when the team invited Summertown to Peckham for a friendly recently there was a certain trepidation among the Oxford lads. They need not have worried. As it happens, the game was played in tremendous spirit, with few fouls and far less bad language than you would find on the touchline during the average under-8s game.

Greenhouse Bethwin is a brilliant club that offers football to more than 400 kids from the estate, from u-8s to u-21s. They have four full-time coaches, paid for by the Greenhouse charity. The club has been hugely successful in offering local children an alternative to the gang culture that is corroding their home estate. Last year alone, eight Greenhouse Bethwin players were signed up by Dulwich Hamlet as semi-professional players.

There were a number of very skilful players on the Greenhouse team, but Summertown took a commanding early lead with a breakaway goal from Zach Bosisio and a penalty by Dan Lawson. The home team got two back, before John Burrows scored a neat goal to put Summertown ahead. However, an injury to goalie Louis Wulff left the visitors thinner at the back than Prince Charles, and Greenhouse popped in a couple of late goals to win 4-3.

To thank them for their hospitality (the post-match buffet was Ritz-like) Summertown have invited Greenhouse Bethwin to Oxford for a friendly over the Easter holidays. According to their coach, for more than half the team, it will be the first time in their lives they have ever gone outside south London.

For more information on the Greenhouse project: greenhouseschools.org

Summertown Stars U15s and Greenhouse Bethwin

Our football stars thrilled with day out with the U’s (Nov 2006)

Oxford United kicked off a new partnership with local junior clubs on Saturday 25th November 2006. Oxfordshire's FA Charter Development club of the year, Summertown Stars was rewarded with a match day experience.

Nearly fifty players of the North Oxford club from 6 to 13 year olds participated in a morning training session with the U's top coaches followed by a stadium tour, including meeting players, before the Conference league match against Tamworth.

At half time the youngsters were presented to the 6700 crowd as part of United's commitment to quality grassroots football to help continue their success into the next decade. Six boys took three  penalties against the U’s keeper Chris Tardif- the biggest cheer was for the U7 Milo who easily won the shoot out and the prized U’ s autographed  shirt. Oxford’s winning goal came from the same penalty spot!

Summertown's club Chairman Jim White said “We are delighted with the link up with our local professional club who are offering to support all FA Charter award clubs in Oxfordshire with similar experiences. The kids were thrilled about the day and maybe one day another Wayne Rooney may be discovered for Oxford in return"

Star player Sholto, who was interviewed on the BBC Radio Oxford’s Dominic Cotter breakfast show about the event added” This was a very cool weekend and thanks to everyone for making 50 boys so happy to belong to the best  club in Oxfordshire”

U12’s enjoyed training session		U players Marvin Robinson and Andrew Gunn fielding questions
U13 player’s penalty just saved by Chris Tardif		6700 supporters cheer the players round the pitch