The long awaited “Match Fit” Beginners, over 30s’, Tournament, organised by the Canterbury Old Bags, was a resounding success for Jo Treharne and the Kent FA.  The COGs had been looking forward to this for a while and 3 teams were ready to have a great time!

Jo and the Canterbury Old Bags are just like the Crawley Old Girls and have been a great group to watch grow over the last 4 months, since we first met them at the Whyteleafe Mum’s Recreational Tournament, in June.

Jo set up the “Old Bags” in January this year, after being inspired by the COGs and it was brilliant to see 24 ladies playing in their own tournament at the 4G facilities at Simon Langton Grammar School in Canterbury, yesterday.  We also met some new teams who had recently set up and some old favourites from previously.

10 teams (including 3 COGs’ teams) were involved in 2 leagues and COGS Black along with COGS White managed to reach the play-off for 3^rd place, which COGS Black won, by the smallest of margins, to receive the bronze medals.  Congratulations to the Palace Pumas who won the Tournament, just beating COBS Green in the Final.

There was some great football on display and a fantastic first ever goal for our very own Kathryn Ripley.  To say she was on top of the world after that, would be an understatement!  You have to watch it!

https://www.facebook.com/kathryn.ripley.9/videos/10155895932116654/

It was fantastic, again, to see so many women enjoying recreational football, just happy for the chance to be playing and all playing with smiles on their faces.  If you could bottle the “buzz” from these tournaments, you would make a fortune!

This is the first Women’s Recreational Football Tournament that was run in conjunction with Kent FA and it was stated at the end, that this was the friendliest, most enjoyable tournament that had been run! You see, it’s not all about winning for the ladies, it really is the taking part and that’s what makes it so enjoyable.  Long may it continue that older women have the opportunity to play the game they love!

Well done Jo & the Canterbury Old Bags for a great tournament!

Our next tournament now, is the second Sussex Football Festival being run by the Sussex County Women’s Girls’ League and Sussex County FA on 20^th October.  This is another opportunity for ladies to have the chance to play where age or ability isn’t a barrier.  There is the opportunity to turn up on the night at Sussex County FA HQ, at Lancing and just play.  Contact us if you would like details.