East Riding College has hosted a five-a-side football tournament for students with learning difficulties and disabilities.
The Five-4-All tournament brought together six teams from the College’s Beverley and Bridlington campuses, Grimsby Institute, Barnsley College and Franklin College, Grimsby.
Played indoors at Beverley Leisure Complex, it involved about 50 learners in over two hours of fun but competitive sport which they would not normally get the opportunity to play. East Riding College students acted as match officials and timekeepers and the winners were Barnsley, who won four games and drew one.
Matt Jeffery, East Riding College’s sport maker, who organised the event, said: “The tournament was fantastic and all the students had a great time – even those who didn’t win.
“They were really happy to have an opportunity to play competitive football for a change and it was such a success that we’ve already confirmed another tournament next month.”
Matt added: “Five-4-All came about because our students who have learning difficulties and disabilities were really keen to play football but it wasn’t really accessible for them to get into the College’s first or second teams.
“After speaking to colleagues at other colleges in the region it was apparent that there was a similar demand there too.”
Leigh Mackie, sport maker at Barnsley College, said: “Our students loved it and were buzzing as they’ve never won a trophy before. It really was a great experience for everyone who was involved.
The students and staff who were involved in the tournament would like to thank Dave Ryley, community champion at Tesco Beverley, for kindly providing the refreshments for all of the participants.
The next Five-4-All tournament will take place on April 24 at Grimsby Institute
