Football is the winner: Cup celebrates refugees
FOUR teams played out a fiercely-contested football tournament to celebrate Refugee Week on Saturday, June 26.
The annual Reading Community Cup showcased the town’s unity at the university’s 3G pitch.
The competition featured Wayback Wanderers, Bracknell Panthers, Giveback FC and Sanctuary Strikers; the latter are a refugee team who use football to promote integration.
“The weather held out which was great,” Refugee Support Group fundraising and communications manager Jonjo Warrick said.
“It was nice to see the togetherness on show through football. It’s really an international language, all you need is a ball and two goalposts to bring people together.”
Although the tournament was played in great spirit, all four sides were eager to bring silverware home.
The final saw Give Back FC take on Sanctuary Strikers in a frenetic match that had to be decided by a penalty shootout.
After confusion over the number of penalties taken, Give Back sealed the victory as their goalkeeper saved the final spot-kick.
Deputy mayor Cllr Debs Edwards presented the victors with medals and the cup.
Whitley Ward and Battle councillors Alice Mpofu-Coles and Wendy Griffith also offered their support from the touchline.
Sponsored by John Sykes Foundation, the tournament was also organised by the University of Reading, Refugee Support Group and Reading FC.
Molli Cleaver, community Relations Manager at the university, said: “Our aim was to bring people across the local community together and shout loudly about how welcome refugees and sanctuary seekers are in Reading and especially at the University.
“On Saturday, we took another step in really showing that’s the case.
“A big congratulations to Giveback United for winning the tournament for the second year in a row and to close runners up, the Sanctuary Strikers.
“The stories of these two teams demonstrate the power of football in bringing communities together, strengthening the message of the Reading Community Cup.”