Football event to bring communities together (From Cotswold Journal)

Football event to bring communities together

12:00pm Thursday 14th June 2012 in News

AN international football tournament is being held in Evesham on Sunday which aims to bring members of the community together.

The event has been organised by Wychavon District Council and about eight different nationalities are expected to take part in the competition, which will feature a mix of local players and those from further afield. With the European Championships taking place in Poland and Ukraine at present, Wychavon’s MIRA (Migration & Integration in Rural Areas) co-ordinator Tom Piotrowski said it was a good chance for the community to get to know each other through a shared love of football.

“We will have eight teams competing and we will be looking to build on the good spirit of the football championships on a local level.

“There will be local teams and teams made up of people of other nationalities who now live here.

“We hope this will encourage integration and people will enjoy the day with each other.”

There are more than 1,100 Polish people living in Evesham and Mr Piotrowski said the community was very proud that their country was hosting the European Championships.

“It is a great honour and seen as a very positive thing for Poland,“ he said.

The tournament takes place from 10am to 3pm at Prince Henry’s High School on Sunday and for more information call Mr Piotrowski on 01386 565282.

• A number of teams competing in the European Championships are being cheered on by people living in the Vale. As well as more than 1,100 Poles, there are about 250 Irish people, 141 Italians, 86 Germans and 63 Portuguese, according to the electoral roll.