Goals and glory at festival of football!
Hundreds of men and women travelled from across the country to shoot goals, share the ecstasy of success and the disappointment of defeat, and catch up with old colleagues at the festival of football that is the annual MoJ five-a-side tournament.
This year’s men’s competition was won by Manchester Misfits (Manchester County Court), beating worthy rivals JAC the Lads (Judicial Appointments Commission), in a thrilling final.
Just Aces (headquarters) lived up to their name by retaining the women’s title, and the veterans trophy went to The RCJ Old Uns (Royal Courts of Justice).
But for most who had gathered at the Civil Service Sports Ground in Chiswick, West London, the winning wasn’t as important as the taking part.
Dave Coldrick, a Senior Officer from HMP Latchmere, Richmond, said: “It is a great event. You get to meet people from all over the MoJ.”
Gregg Ellis (Northern Monkeys), from Manchester County Court, was playing in his eighth tournament: “There are 25 of us who started out from Manchester at 7am, and we won’t get back until 3am - it’s a great day out, and a good laugh.”
Wunmi Oyemade, an ICT Service Delivery Manager, who was organising her third tournament, summed up the day: “Exciting and vibrant! The event has been successful once again, all thanks to our sponsors, Atos Origin, Logica and Liberata, and everyone who took part. A special thanks to Dan Augustine, Tina Chopra and Maureen Barker, who helped me out.”
This year’s charity beneficiary was the Civil Service Benevolent Fund, which helps current and former civil servants who are struggling.
Beryl Evans, Fundraising Director for CSBF, said: "The tournament was a great result for the Fund – a huge thanks to everyone who took part, raising money for their in-house charity.”
Staff across MoJ are already gearing up to raise even more money for the charity during Fund Week, taking place from 11 to 15 October.
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