On Friday 7th February Parkhall Integrated College hosted its first ever futsal competition for six local primary schools.

This type of indoor football is what many European and South American players – the likes of Ronaldo and Messi – grew up honing their skills on and have used to learn their trade.

The college was pleased to invite its own business partners in to sponsor the event, giving the tournament a professional feel with many prizes and goodies on offer for the pupils to take away with them.

Paul Kirkpatrick of Islandbawn Stores, a long standing supporter of sport at the college, came laden with a goody bag for the fifty-plus participants, and the college’s newly established partner, Martin of Subway at Castle Mall was very pleased to be invited along for the first time to establish his sponsorship of the college with free Subway vouchers for the lucky winners. Local junior football coach Samuel McIlveen was on hand to help supply the futsal goals and award the player of the tournament a complimentary one-on-one coaching session.

The schools that took part included Antrim Primary, Ballycraigy, Greystone, Maine Integrated, Six Mile Integrated and St. Joseph's. The tournament followed a round-robin league format culminating in the all-important final with silver medals presented to the runners-up and gold medals and a shiny new trophy to the winning school.

Glenn Martin, who organised the tournament on behalf of the school was most impressed by the response of the local primary schools and was impressed by the standard of talent on display from many of the young players. He made a point of thanking their schools and teachers for allowing them the opportunity to play.

Mr Martin also paid thanks to all the contributors who helped make the event that extra bit special with their kind acts of generosity and said that he was delighted to see them come along and support the event.

Parkhall Integrated College’s intention, due to the success of this inaugural event, is to widen the invitation next year to more local primary schools who unfortunately were unable to attend this first tournament and extend it to include an outdoor competition to celebrate the opening of its new outdoor sports pitches and to allow the local children the opportunity to play there as well.

Paul Kirkpatrick of Islandbawn Stores, Samuel McIlveen and Mr George Beattie (school principal) presented the medals to:

1st place gold medal and trophy winners Greystone Primary School

2nd place silver medal winners Antrim Primary School

3rd place bronze medal winners Maine Integrated Primary School

This was a great day and a successful event, which was ably assisted by the college’s sixth-form students, who helped out as referees, table officials and assistant supervisors.