Event is growing success

ON your marks, get set, grow.

Hundreds of competitive football fanatics are preparing for a hairy competition for charity.

Goals Soccer Centre, based at Bede College campus in Sunderland, is staging a Movember football tournament next month.

The team behind the contest, which has proved so popular that it was extended to Goals centres around the country, said the fundraiser is a growing success.

“All of our 43 centres are doing it this year,” said Neil Couling, assistant manager.

“It gets people playing and supporting the charity.

“There’s a buzz around the centre as soon as Movember kicks in, and you see the taches people grow.”

The Movember foundation aims to get men growing taches throughout November to raise funds and awareness of men’s health, especially highlighting prostrate and testicular cancer.

This year, there will be two tour-

football naments at the Sunderland Goals centre, so men of all ages can get involved in the charity event.

“The event has developed,” said Neil, who also credits football the development officer at the centre, Simon Wardle, with starting the contest in 2011.

“The main one will still aim to get 40 five- a- side teams involved, and there will be a tournament for over35s.

“It’s for the older blokes who don’t fancy playing against young lads.”

Last year, scores of celebrities, including David Beckham and Michael Owen got involved in the event.

The main tournament will take place on Friday, November 22, at 6.30pm. Entry is £ 40 per team, and you can register until the night before.

To sign up, tel. 337 0360 or visit www. goalsfootball. co. uk.