An international festival of youth football, celebrating Norwich’s twin partnerships with Rouen and Koblenz, will be hosted by a Cringleford club next summer.
Cringleford Junior Football Club is organising the event for August 3 and 4 and hundreds of young players will descend on Easton College to take part.
The five-a-side ‘Cringleford Cup’ will draw teams from across the local area, England and Norwich’s twin cities of Rouen in France and Koblenz in Germany. Teams from other countries may also appear.
In total, 768 players from 96 teams, spanning six age groups (under-8 to under-13), are set participate – cheered on by big crowds.
Organisers say the tournament promises and inclusive approach, with boys’, girls’ and mixed teams taking part.
The tournament will start on the Saturday with two groups of eight in each age section. Every team will play a final at the end of the day against the team which finished in the same position in the other group.
Sunday will feature a knockout tournament based on the results from the previous day.
Chris Good, Cringleford Junior Football Club Coach & Tournament Lead, said: “We’re honoured to facilitate bringing together our twin cities through the enjoyment of youth football.
“This is an inclusive tournament for boys, girls, mixed teams, abilities levels and nationalities. The unique format of the tournament provides all players with the opportunity to experience the highs (and sometimes lows) of playing in a final, with the Sunday split into two separate tournaments per age group based on ability, ensuring games are evenly matched to encourage development and enjoyment. It’s set to be a fantastic festival of football.”
The tournament is oversubscribed in all age group except the under-13s.
Organisers would welcome interest from more Norfolk teams, in case of cancellations, and are also looking for additional sponsors for the event.
Cringleford Junior FC chairman Mick Sanders added: “We’re delighted to be hosting this event, and the approach is fully consistent with the Cringleford Junior Football Club philosophy of ‘football for fun’.”
The event, which will run from 9am to 6.30pm on both days, will give young players the opportunity to experience new playing styles and will enhance the ‘twin’ partnerships between Norwich, Rouen and Koblenz.
Bert Bremner, of the Norwich City Twinning Group (Rouen Lead), said: “As the Norwich Rouen Twinning group, we fully support the work of the Cringleford Football Club to have an international football weekend, and welcome youngsters from Rouen.
“In May 2029, Rouen and Norwich will celebrate their 70th anniversary as twinned cities, and we are hoping that Rouen will be the 2028 European Capital of Culture. We feel it is still important to keep and expand the links between our two cities, to encourage links, as individuals, groups, and businesses.
“Over the years links have included archaeologists, architects, artists, choirs, dancers, The Garage, lawyers, medical staff, Morris Dancers, musicians, firefighters, ramblers, rowers, schools, plus a whole variety of sports clubs. And we want the connections between Norwich and Rouen to involve everyone in and around Norwich.
For more information about the event, including sponsorship opportunities, please contact Chris Good at chrisgood45@hotmail.com or call 07736 285161. You can also visit the Cringleford JFC Facebook page.