Foundation tournament seeks Wembley hopefuls

Sunderland AFC registered charity, Foundation of Light, are hosting two children’s football tournaments next month to find teams to represent the Black Cats in the Utilita Kids Cup tournament. The Utilita EFL Kids Cup is a national tournament for junior footballers which offers children the once in a lifetime opportunity to play at Wembley Stadium. The Cup involves over 16,000 children and creates one of the country’s largest national football competitions, which culminates in exciting finals at Wembley Stadium in front of thousands of fans. The 6-a-side competition, which inspires children to be active, healthy, and develop a strong sense of teamwork, is split into two categories: Year 5/6 Mixed (teams can consist of both boys and girls); and Year 7/8 Girls; with two separate local tournaments for each. Winners from these tournaments will then represent Sunderland AFC in a regional tournament, the winner of which will progress to the finals at Wembley in May. Details of the tournament are listed below:   EFL Kids Cup local competition (all primary schools welcome) Monday 11th November 2019 Norther Area Playing Fields (NE37 3HR) Mixed (team can consist of both boys and girls) Children in year 5/6 6-a-side Maximum of 8 per team   EFL Girls Cup Monday 18th November 2019 Northern Area Playing Fields (NE37 3HR) Girls in year 7/8 6-a-side Maximum of 8 per team   Both tournaments are completely free for schools to enter but sides must be pre-registered with Helen Edwards first at helen.edwards@foundationoflight.co.uk or 0191 5147172. Last season a girls’ team from St Joseph’s Catholic Academy from Hebburn claimed the trophy in the final of the competition on the hallowed turf of Wembley, before the EFL Checkatrade Trophy Final kicked off.