Sporting Influence Kicks Off First Week of Competitions Calendar with Exciting Football Matches Across Ripon and Harrogate

19 September 2024

Sporting Influence has officially launched its busy competitions calendar this week, hosting three thrilling football tournaments in the Ripon and Harrogate clusters. Over 100 children a day participated in theRipon Clusters, showcasing their talent, teamwork, and sportsmanship in front of proud teachers and families. 

Mark Sherwood and Rachel Wilcox, the competition organisers from Sporting Influence, expressed their excitement about the successful start to the season. "It’s always fantastic to see so many young athletes come together for a day of friendly competition," said Mr Sherwood. "The skill level and enthusiasm on display this week have been phenomenal."

The week kicked off on Tuesday, 17th September, with the Ripon 1 Cluster at Outwood High School, featuring football competitions for both Year 3/4 and Year 5/6 students. The sunny morning set the perfect stage for the event, as children from local village schools battled hard on the football pitch. The competitive spirit was balanced by the excitement of participating, with students demonstrating both individual skill and strong teamwork throughout the games.

Rachel Wilcox highlighted the importance of these events, particularly for smaller schools: "These tournaments provide a fantastic opportunity for students from village schools to participate in high-quality competitive sport. The sense of community and support from both students and staff has been incredible."

After an intense morning of competition, the first-round winners were Sharow for Year 3/4 and Birstwith for Year 5/6 categories, earning their place in the Football Finals. 

The following day, Wednesday, 18th September, saw the return of the action at Outwood High School for the Ripon 2 Cluster. This time, larger schools from the Ripon area took part, once again in Year 3/4 and Year 5/6 football competitions. Another morning of crisp passes, quick feet, and impressive goals showcased the talent of the young athletes. The focus, however, remained on promoting good sportsmanship and teamwork, something Sporting Influence values highly.

"The teamwork and cooperation we saw in these matches were just as important as the competition itself," said Mr Sherwood. "It’s clear that these students are not only learning how to compete but also how to support each other and build positive relationships through sport."

The winners from the Ripon 2 Cluster, Y3/4 Moorside & Y5/6 Ripon Cathedral will also move forward to the Finals, joining the first round winners from Tuesday.

Wednesday concluded with a lively KS1 Football After School Competition at Harrogate High School. Over 70 children, many of whom had just started Year 1, took to the astroturf, representing their schools and enjoying an evening of fun and football. The excitement in the air was palpable as the young players kicked off their school sports journey with enthusiasm.

Mr Whitford summed up the evening perfectly: "It was an amazing sight to see so many young children, especially those who’ve just started school, enjoying football and having fun with their friends. Events like this are all about participation and using sport to create joy and camaraderie."

With three successful competitions wrapped up, Sporting Influence is already looking ahead to the next set of events, which includes four more competitions in Harrogate and Boroughbridge next week. The stage is set for more outstanding displays of athleticism and sportsmanship as Sporting Influence continues its commitment to providing high-quality sports opportunities for children in the region.