WOODLEY HAMMERS SUMMER TOURNAMENT SATURDAY 4 JUNE & SUNDAY 5 JUNE 2011 at Bulmershe School, Chequers Way, Woodley, Reading, RG5 3EL ***** PRESS RELEASE ***** (Click HERE for full Press Release) Woodley Hammers FC, holders of the F.A. Charter Standard Development Club Status, hosted an exciting and friendly football tournament at the Bulmershe School, Woodley on the weekend of 4th June and 5th June. This was the second year that they returned to their “home” and the tournament was bigger and better than last year. Hammers accepted entries from over 250 teams from Under 7s through to adults including four Girls’ sections. This was a record number of teams at Bulmershe School. Those teams that participated commented on how well the Tournament was run and how much they enjoyed it. Woodley Hammers Chairman, Bill Rodda said “We were delighted to host our tournament at Bulmershe School and to reinforce our commitment to develop football in the area. Over the years we have been fortunate to have had the benefit of excellent weather. This weekend saw a massive contrast with excellent weather on the Saturday but a rainy day on the Sunday. In line with our development strategy we continued to host Girls’ sections and for the first time ever offered an U18 Girls’ Age Group. Our motto ‘Gaudium Joci Causa’ translates as ‘Enjoyment Through Sport’ and sums up this tournament weekend. Our annual tournament is very important to the club in demonstrating that we are welcoming club which enhances our recruitment of new players. It also has a significant financial impact in that, with ever growing costs to provide football and the current economic climate, it helps to keep down our Registration and Match Fees during the course of the season”. He went on to say “Our events co-ordinator, Tracey Marshall and her team, did an excellent job and made it an enjoyable weekend for all who attended. It was a good weekend for Hammers on the pitch with our Under 17/18 team winning their section and the Under 10s and Men’s teams coming runners-up in their respective competitions. We also secured 2 runners-up places in the Plate Competitions.” Tracey Marshall events co-ordinator added “I was extremely grateful to all the sponsors and helpers that made the weekend such a success. With the record number of teams it presented a challenge regarding car parking which was superbly covered by Malcolm Jones and his team. I would particularly like to thank Dan Maskell for organising the first aid cover over the weekend in such a professional way and I hope that all those that needed attention recover quickly.” Marshall added “The event went to schedule over the weekend which was quite an achievement considering we had over 250 teams participating across 16 pitches. This involved more than 800 matches and some 2,000 players. We were very impressed with the way the referees kept the matches flowing and are grateful to Steve McMahon, Steve Smith and Tony Russell the referees’ co-ordinators for their organising skills.” Hammers had teams competing from a wide geographical area including the local Reading area and the surrounding counties of Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, London, Middlesex, Oxfordshire, Surrey and Wiltshire. Hammers would like to thank their sponsors and advertisers 3 Way Healthcare, AK Plumbing & Heating, A&M Parts and Motors Ltd, Cyclezone, Goals Soccer Centre, Kingswood Pallets Ltd, Larchfield Services, MFM Couriers, MFM Services, Smart Electrical Services UK Ltd and Travis Perkins for their assistance and generosity. Club Chairman, Rodda added “In particular we are grateful to the governors, headmaster Peter Lewis and staff of Bulmershe School who kindly allowed the tournament to take place in their grounds. We have been developing a relationship with Bulmershe School since the mid 1990s to help improve the sports facilities at the school and have recently been appointed a Community Partner with the school. A significant proportion of the revenues from previous Tournaments has been used by the school to assist with this aim. We were delighted to have an agreement with the school that has given us exclusive use of their quality football pitch out of school hours during the course of this season. Part of our development plan is to continue to work with the school for our mutual benefit and that of the local community.” With a strong foundation in training and fun games from the Under 7s upwards the Club has had a successful season in 2010-2011. In the season just ender the Under 10 Black squad won the Berkshire Youth Development Division 1, the Under 10 Royals squad won the Berkshire Youth Development Division 5, the Under 13 Stripes squad won the Berkshire Youth Development Division 3 and the Under 17 Girls won the South Chiltern Minor League Title and League Cup. Woodley Hammers would like to hear from any teams that wish to be added to the mailing list for next year’s competition or sponsors that would like to support the event. Please contact Jim Hill, Entries Co-ordinator, on 0118 9695416 or 6aside@woodleyhammersfc.co.uk. In the forthcoming 2011-2012 season, Hammers aim to be running teams in every age group from Under 7s through to their 5 eleven-a-side men’s teams across six F.A. sanctioned leagues. Hammers are also eager to develop girls’ involvement in local football. To this end they have worked together with other Woodley Football Clubs to form Woodley United specifically to offer girls’ football. Indeed, the Under 15 Girls’ won their section in the Tournament. Les Marshall would like to hear from any girls across all age groups that are interested in joining Woodley United – he can be contacted on 0118 9690096 or traceymarshall11@aol.com. Please contact the Club Secretary Sue Williams on 0118 9272819 or consult our website www.woodleyhammersfc.co.uk for any general information regarding Woodley Hammers or if you or your child is looking to join a team.