Football Report - Barbados 2009

For the 5-a-side footballers from GCHQ Cheltenham, the Barbados adventure really started in Bristol in September 2008. Nine teams from all around the South West region gathered at the South West Academy of Dramatic Arts in Filton to compete for the chance to represent the region at not just the National Finals in Derby the following month, but the ultimate prize - a trip to the Caribbean in October 2009 to take part in the Barbados Challenge. In a thrilling final, the GCHQ team (playing under the name of their newly formed Departmental Sports Association "GCSLA"), defeated a strong Plymouth United team 4-3 to book their seats on the plane.

The 7 October 2009 departure date came round fast, and the team set off early for Gatwick to meet up with the rest of the participants in the Departure Hall, all looking resplendent in their matching red CSSC SW Polo Shirts. The Barbados Challenge was ON!

From the outset, we were looked after by the equally glorious "orange" shirted organisers. We were met at the airport and bussed to the Blue Horizon Hotel at Rockley Beach, our home for the next week. A meeting was hosted in the early evening by the organisers, and it gave many of us our first taste of the famous (or maybe that should be INFAMOUS) Mount Gay Rum Punch. It was then back on the bus to spend an evening at The Ship Inn at St. Laurence Gap where complimentary drinks flowed, and we mingled with our fellow challengers for the first time. During the welcome speeches, we were shocked to discover that we were in the presence of sporting greatness, as cricketing legend Sir Garfield Sobers was introduced to the gathered throng. The great man happily posed for pictures with any and all that asked, and it was indeed a privilege to meet him.

The first Challenge events had taken place on the Friday night at the Barbados Police Club in Weymouth but, the following day, it was the footballers' turn to try and put some points on the board. A four-team round-robin tournament got underway with GCSLA registering a fine 1-0 win in their first match against a very strong and imposing Barbados Police team, the goal coming from the penalty spot. A 0-0 draw with Barbados Civil Service, followed by a 1-0 win against the CSSC South East team meant that the South West and South East teams had combined to win the tournament and the 15 points available towards the Challenge.

Monday saw Virgin Atlantic hosting a wonderful presentation party at The Boatyard, in Bridgetown. This superb event really held the essence of what the Barbados Challenge was all about. Camaraderie, colour, sound, great food, lots of sun and sand all wrapped up in a real carnival atmosphere, with beach volleyball, limbo dancing competitions and watersports.

It was unanimous that the Barbados Challenge had been one of the most exciting events any of us had ever been involved in and, as the teams gathered at the airport to fly back to the UK, the footballers were thinking of the best way to try and qualify for 2010 - the Volleyball in January perhaps! A big thank you to all the organisers, both in the UK and Barbados, for a truly memorable trip, and one we would highly recommend to all. Do not pass up the opportunity to take part.