Five-a-side football teams from Finchampstead-based Siren Craft Brew, local clubs and as far afield as Bromley took to the pitch at Farley Hill Primary School on Saturday, and raised more than £1,000 for the Royal British Legion local food bank and the Arborfield Aces youth football team benevolent fund.
Organised by Siren’s warehouse manager and budding Mikel Arteta, Louis Coulbeck, the tournament featured 11 teams in two groups with a semi-final and final – which played out in front of an eager crowd, with Siren’s production team beating the warehouse team on penalties.
There were goals aplenty with the tournament played with good spirit and humour. A ‘fastest shot’ competition was won by Alex Laskey with a strike measured at 69 mph.
Following the tournament, players and supporters were treated to free beer and a trophy presentation at Siren’s Tap Yard, Arborfield Aces Parents won the Fair Play Award, while goalkeeper Luke Toth was named Player of the Tournament.
Organiser Louis Coulbeck said: “The tournament came from wanting to give back to our community.
“It was a specialised project for Arborfield, in what is a constantly growing area. And it was an excuse to play football.
“We supported two causes, the Arborfield Aces youth football team development fund which helps subsidise kids football at the club for those that need it, and the Royal British Legion foodbank, which is the only hot foodbank in the area.
“We had great backing from everyone at Siren, so much so we were able to field four teams which helped us raise a lot of money, but huge credit as well to the other teams that made it such a brilliant, fun and competitive afternoon.
“The teams were all mixed age and gender from ages 16 to 62.
“It’s the second time we’ve run a tournament, the first time was just in-house, this time we wanted to do something bigger that would support the growing community around us. What started as a laugh last year, has got a bit out of hand.”
The Siren FC team is mostly an employee group but has involvement from the community.
“This is our way of giving something back to them.”
It’s not too late to donate.
The JustGiving page is open until the end of the month at: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sirenfc-5s
