West Ham United Foundation welcomed local schools to Robert Clack Leisure Centre for the Lycamobile third regional qualifying tournament.
The tournament, which saw a number of schools from Barking & Dagenham and Havering battle it out, is back for a second successive year and is proving to be a massive hit with local school children.
The regional winners will earn the opportunity to grace the Boleyn Ground for a unique finals day in May. There, friends and family will be invited to cheer from the stands, while the players will have full access to first-team changing facilities and press room.
Following on from the tournament launch at the Foundation's Beckton home back in December; Robert Clack is one of many local schools that will host the regional qualifying stages.
Foundation Community Sports Officer George Chukwuma described how the format of the tournament contributes to the increased engagement within the community.
“With qualifying rounds taking place over four different sites, it really helps us reach out to local young people right across the boroughs involved and increase participation.
“Having the events hosted at a variety of different schools not only creates stronger links between the Foundation and the community, but it is also good to see local schools working together for what is a wonderful opportunity for the kids.”
The standards were high throughout the tournament with both the U12s and U14s competitions taking penalties to settle the ties respectively.
After a 0-0 stalemate against local side Robert Clack School, Emerson Park came through as 2-1 winners on spot-kicks in the U12s category.
The U14s final was an even tenser affair, with the full-time scoreline at 1-1, it took the only penalty scored in the shootout to see Barking Abbey secure their place at the Boleyn Ground in May at the expense of Riverside School.
The tournament, which saw a number of schools from Barking & Dagenham and Havering battle it out, is back for a second successive year and is proving to be a massive hit with local school children.
The regional winners will earn the opportunity to grace the Boleyn Ground for a unique finals day in May. There, friends and family will be invited to cheer from the stands, while the players will have full access to first-team changing facilities and press room.
Following on from the tournament launch at the Foundation's Beckton home back in December; Robert Clack is one of many local schools that will host the regional qualifying stages.
Foundation Community Sports Officer George Chukwuma described how the format of the tournament contributes to the increased engagement within the community.
“With qualifying rounds taking place over four different sites, it really helps us reach out to local young people right across the boroughs involved and increase participation.
“Having the events hosted at a variety of different schools not only creates stronger links between the Foundation and the community, but it is also good to see local schools working together for what is a wonderful opportunity for the kids.”
The standards were high throughout the tournament with both the U12s and U14s competitions taking penalties to settle the ties respectively.
After a 0-0 stalemate against local side Robert Clack School, Emerson Park came through as 2-1 winners on spot-kicks in the U12s category.
The U14s final was an even tenser affair, with the full-time scoreline at 1-1, it took the only penalty scored in the shootout to see Barking Abbey secure their place at the Boleyn Ground in May at the expense of Riverside School.