Players celebrate at the end of the 2011 Unity Cup

Published: 16 August, 2012
by CATHERINE ETOE

ONE of the most popular annual football festivals in north London kicks off next week and organisers say it will be back to its best.

It is now 14 years since Fitzrovia Youth in Action first brought the Camden Unity Cup to the borough in a bid to give young people ownership of their football pitches.

Lack of funding in recent years has seen the competition reduced to a day of action, but this year it will run over three days and will include music and entertainment.

“We’ve gone back to the old model, working closer with young people and they are taking a bigger role in running the match days,” said FYA youth participation officer Raja Miah. “It’s very exciting.”

FYA have run stewarding, event management and planning sessions for the young organisers ahead of the big kick-off and the charity hopes that as a result the grass­-roots tournament will improve the youngsters’ job prospects. It will also offer a feast of football too and this year children from across north London can play in four age divisions on three match days, kicking off with the U-10s in Holborn on August 22.

There are still team places left – so call Raja on 020 7388 7399 or email raja.miah@fya.org.uk.

Match Days

Under-10s: August 22. Bourne Estate Pitch, Portpool Lane, EC1. Run in partnership with South Camden Youth Access Point. 10am-6pm.

Under-12s: August 24. Cumberland Market Pitch, NW1. In combination with the Regent’s Park Community Festival and in partnership with the West Euston Time Bank. 10am-6pm.

Under-14s and U-16s: August 30. Cantelowes Sports Pavilion, Camden Road, NW1. Run in partnership with The Somali Youth Development and Resource Centre. 10am-6pm.