More than 300 local league footballers will receive superstar treatment on Saturday when they play at Wembley’s National Stadium on finals day in this year’s FA Fives tournament.
More than 2,000 men’s and women’s teams from across the country started out in qualifying and this weekend’s 46 five-a-side finalists will be competing across a series of categories for the right to become national champion.
The FA Fives, now in its sixth year, is supported by County FAs across the country and offers teams of local players the chance to compete against others of similar standard in a competition which reflects the FA’s ongoing commitment to local, grassroots football.
In this year’s tournament, teams will be competing for trophies and the accolade of National Champions in three categories, with the Grassroots section open to men’s and women’s teams.
The category was set up to specifically develop interest in playing the game amongst those who are not members of established teams. The women’s competition pitches 8 teams against each other, including previous winners Watford Ladies and a team from London which includes a former winner of a female Asian Footballer of the Year award within its ranks.
FA Fives Tournament Director Stephen Brown said “The FA Fives is always a great day because we’re able to open our doors for players who would not ordinarily have any chance at all of playing on a world-class stage such as Wembley Stadium. It’s a fantastic experience for them and its a wonderful day for us because it marks the culmination of a national event which has promoted grassroots football in all corners of the country. We’re very proud of the tournament and what it stands for. Hopefully the football will live up to the setting and provide a real showcase for the small sided game.”
Pictured (from top) – Watford, A Town Ladies, Keele WFC, Loughborough WFC, Pro Star Ladies.
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