Football challenge to boost school’s fundraising drive
Five-a-side adult football teams are invited to challenge sides featuring former professional footballers at a fun competition later this month in aid of a Telford school’s fundraising campaign.
Lawley Primary School are striving to raise £18,000 to fund the installation of solar panels which will reduce its carbon footprint.
They have enlisted the help of Crossbar Coaching Education in Sport, who deliver sport across the curriculum to Lawley Primary and a number of other Shropshire schools, to organise a five-a-side competition next month.
Crossbar will be entering two sides in the competition which will take place at the school on Sunday, March 29 between 11am and 3pm.
The Crossbar teams will include former Shrewsbury Town defender Gavin Cowan plus ex-Telford United men Phil Trainer and Kevin Sandwith.
Gavin, the director of Crossbar, said: “We have a close relationship with Lawley Primary School and deliver sport across the curriculum to the pupils five days a week so we are delighted to be involved with this competition to raise funds for solar panels.
“I think some of our younger coaches will be the key men in our two teams but I’m sure when the day comes the competitive spirit will kick in for some of us older ones!
“We’re really looking forward to it and it promises to be a very enjoyable day, lots of fun, and we won’t be taking it too seriously with our aging knees and joints.”
Stuart Dunn, who covers Shrewsbury Town’s fortunes for BBC Radio Shropshire, will commentate on the semi-finals and grand final on the day.
Local teams and companies are invited to enter a team for the competition. The cost to enter is just £10 with each individual team member asked to raise a minimum of £25 in sponsorship.
“We are really excited to host the very first Crossbar beat the pro competition at Lawley Primary School, “said Deborah Dodds, eco and energy committee co-ordinator for the school.
“It’s going to be a fun event where teams can pit their football skills against two teams of ex-professional footballers and professional football coaches in a knockout competition.
“We are really grateful to Crossbar for their help and support in organising this event. All proceeds will be going towards the school’s solar panel appeal.
“We are inviting teams from companies or from the local community to register and hope that as many people as possible will get involved in what will be a friendly yet competitive fundraising event.”
To enter a team, contact (01952) 388410 or send an email to a2061@telford.gov.uk
Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
The website link for donations is http://www.solarschools.org.uk/lawleyprimary/
Pictured: On the ball – Phil Trainer, left, and Sam Griffiths, from Crossbar Coaching Education in Sport, with Deborah Dodds, eco and energy committee co-ordinator for Lawley Primary School.
