Proud moment for Pangbourne’s Johnny
JOHNNY Pride, a Year 7 pupil at Pangbourne College, has been selected to play in the Gothia Cup Tournament, which is billed as ‘one of the most prestigious football tournaments in the world’.
Each year, around 1,700 teams from 80 nations take part, playing 4,500 matches on 110 pitches.
Pride was selected following a trial, for which he was nominated by his family with the support of the sports staff at Pangbourne College.
He will be playing in Gothenburg next summer, where he will receive top-quality coaching and attend workshops run by the coaching staff and physiotherapists on issues such as nutrition and hydration, sports psychology and injury prevention.
Director of sport at Pangbourne College, Sam Hewick, said: “This is a superb achievement for Johnny who, through our Sports Performance Programme, is enjoying the opportunity to pursue his love of football at school.
“The Gothia Cup Tournament is a wonderful opportunity to meet and make friends with players from different cultures and backgrounds, as well as develop his football skills.”
The news follows a recent announcement that Pride has been awarded a Citizenship Award by the UK Education Guide and the award recognises his fantastic efforts to raise more than £10,000 for
Parkinson’s UK earlier this year.
He organised and undertook the challenge of walking 81 miles from his home to Wembley to coincide with one of the England games.
He was inspired to raise money for the charity as his grandfather had Parkinson’s for 20 years before he died in the summer of 2021.
His impressive feat attracted significant radio and press coverage.
“Johnny’s achievements both on and off the pitch are superb examples of our Flag Values; particularly those of industry, initiative, resilience, selflessness and kindness,” said Mr Hewick.
“I’m sure he’ll have a bright future.”