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Primary schools from across Lowestoft compete in successful football tournament

Mark Boggis

Published: 9:26 AM July 14, 2017 Updated: 11:09 AM October 10, 2020

Lowestoft Town Football Club host a schools football tournament. Roman Hill primary schoo (blue)l V Phoenix St Peter primary school. Picture: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher

An inaugural youth football tournament has been hailed a success.

Lowestoft Town Football Club host a schools football tournament. Gunton primary (red) V Red Oak primary (bibs) Picture: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher

The Lowestoft Town FC Primary School tournament took centre stage at the Amber Dew Events Stadium – formerly Crown Meadow – on Tuesday with nine teams from six schools battling it out.

With each team playing four matches, the seven-a-side tournament featured boys and girls in Years 3 and 4.

Schools competing were Roman Hill, Gunton, Phoenix St Peter, Red Oak, Northfield St Nicholas and St Margaret's primary schools.

Lowestoft Town Football Club host a schools football tournament. Gunton primary (red) V Red Oak primary (bibs) Picture: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher

With community coaches from Lowestoft Town Sports Academy going into Lowestoft-area primary schools since January, the coaches have been offering football training sessions once a week in a six-week block.

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Josh Miller, community manager at Lowestoft Town FC, said: 'This is our first tournament and we are hoping to make it an annual event. It's all about giving something back to the community. We let the schools decide the age group to work with and hopefully this can continue from September as it has been successful. It has also proved to be a good scouting opportunity for us as well, in finding talented players who could come into our academy for next season.'

With matches refereed by Lowestoft first teamer Travis Cole and Matthew Miller, there was lots of 'quality' on show.

Lowestoft Town Football Club host a schools football tournament. Gunton primary (red) V Red Oak primary (bibs) Picture: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher

Josh added: 'We have had a very good turnout and the quality on show has been great. Everyone is enjoying themselves and those taking part will all receive a medal for participating, with a trophy for the winners – which will be competed for each year. It is also a great opportunity for these young players to be playing on Lowestoft's first team pitch.'

After a number of keenly-contested matches, and a downpour of rain, Gunton Primary Academy emerged victorious after a 3-1 win over Red Oak Primary in the final.

Josh said: 'The whole tournament went really well. We had lots of positive feedback from all the schools, which is great and there were lots of smiles on the children's faces. We are more than happy to work within schools within the Lowestoft area and reach out to more youngsters.'

Lowestoft Town Football Club host a schools football tournament. Gunton primary (red) V Red Oak primary (bibs) Picture: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher

If you would like the club to come into your school, email academy@lowestofttownfc.co.uk

Lowestoft Town Football Club host a schools football tournament. Gunton primary (red) V Red Oak primary (bibs) Picture: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher

Lowestoft Town Football Club host a schools football tournament. St Margarets primary V Red Oak (red) Picture: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher

Lowestoft Town Football Club host a schools football tournament. Roman Hill primary schoo (blue)l V Phoenix St Peter primary school. Picture: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher

Lowestoft Town Football Club host a schools football tournament. Roman Hill v Phoenix St Peter primary (white) Picture: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher

Lowestoft Town Football Club host a schools football tournament. Roman Hill (blue) v Northfield St Nicholas primary (white) Picture: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher