The stadium was packed with 18 local corporate football teams – over 150 players eager to compete for the glory, the inaugural title and the trophy. The lively island event, held in aid of Bowel Cancer Guernsey and Business Beats Cancer, hopes to become an annual tradition, said Victoria Park’s steering committee member Cat Haywood.
‘This is Guernsey spirit at its finest,’ she said.
‘It’s amazing. It’s a rainy Sunday morning, yet everyone’s bustling, with their new kits and boots on and all turned up on time, raring to go.
‘It’s a really healthy, fun competition for a good cause, which is what it’s all about.
‘The stadium was built as a community facility with football at its heart, so this is our way of giving back and encouraging corporate sponsors, teams, everybody to get involved. Importantly, it’s supporting islanders and raising awareness of the invaluable work these charities do.’
She said everybody was welcome to pay £500 to enter a seven-a-side squad and Kick for a Cause over a series of 12-minute matches.
Victoria Park had colourful, branded kits made up for each of the teams to wear with pride.
‘It’s great fun, very well organised,’ said Stephen Wilson, playing for Swoffers.
His teammate Simon Martin had assembled the local estate agent’s squad and said the men were keen to finally have a good reason to get out on the field.
‘We fancied ourselves, for the last five years, as great football players,’ he said.
‘Constantly talking ourselves up in the office and never been able to prove it.
‘So today’s the day – though we might tell you something different in an hour’s time.’
They came very close and made it to the gripping final.
After a nail-biting battle – it was Aztec Group’s Aztekkers who took home the trophy.
Despite the wind trying to blow them away – both charities were stationed, showcasing their work with two colourful stalls filled with information, advice, and games. Both chairs were on-hand, getting in on the action and gratefully accepting donations.
‘It’s a wonderful event and amazing to see everybody in the stands in all their kits, they look great,’ said Bowel Cancer Guernsey chairwoman Anne Brouard.
‘It’s great for raising awareness of the charities, as well as exercise, a healthy lifestyle, and having fun.’
The charity had set up its popular, large inflatable bowel – inviting players and children to delve inside for a visual insight into the digestive system.
The tunnel, which has been spotted at various Seafront Sundays, is filled with facts, teaching its explorers the signs to spot for early bowel cancer detection.
Victoria Park’s organisers would like to thank all the teams and organisations that joined in, and all the spectators who braved the elements to support the maiden event.
Anyone interested in volunteering, donating or finding out more about the two charities can visit their websites, bowelcancerguernsey.org.gg and fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/unite/business-beats-cancer-guernsey.
You need to be logged in to comment. If you had an account on our previous site, you can migrate your old account and comment profile to this site by visiting this page and entering the email address for your old account. We'll then send you an email with a link to follow to complete the process.