FootBULL 2006

(7th June 2006)

FootBULL takes place every year and is joint venture between the University of Birmingham and Local Leagues, hence the acronym BULL – Birmingham University & Local Leagues).

The day consisted of a fun but competitive football tournament between 12 local schools with 10 children from each school entering a team to represent their school.

Each team was allocated two student volunteers to guide them throughout the day with forty volunteers helping on the day. The event was preceded by two training days which aimed to familiarise all the staff and volunteers of the requirements of the day.
Efforts were made to make the event as accessible as possible for the schools and as such transportation was provided at no cost to the schools. Every child taking part received a free t-shirt with 12 colours to distinguish each school.
At the commencement of the day, two volunteers were placed at both pick up points so that there was someone to greet the schools as they boarded the bus.

Only 11 schools participated on the day with Clifton pulling out due to an OFSTED inspection.
At the University, the schools received a brief introduction by Andrew Murphy who explained the plan for the day and gave a snapshot history regarding the University pitches. Rob Cade led everyone present in a mass warm, so the tournament could commence.
The weather was fantastic and the football being played was of a great standard. Presentations followed the games, and that meant that the teams were led to Avon Room at the University along with their teachers, staff and all those volunteering on the day. There were medals and certificates for every child with Birchfield Community School (Aston) winning overall and collecting the Winners Shield, and Prince Albert School (Aston) winning the Fair Play Award.

Conclusion

The FootBULL tournament proved to be a very successful day. The success of the day and past FootBULL events signalled that the event was something that would continue annually for as long as Local Leagues and the University maintained the great relationship. All the schools enjoyed the day and the feedback had been great.