South Hampstead Under-12s return to the Unity Cup to defend their crown

Four weeks of footy as borough’s biggest tournament kicks off

Over 700 youngsters set to battle it out to become Unity Cup champions

SCORES of budding young footballers from across Camden and Islington are gearing up for a summer of soccer following Saturday’s big kick-off in the Camden Unity Cup at the Warren pitch in Whitefield Street, Fitzrovia.
Over the next four weeks more than 700 youngsters will turn out at community pitches across Camden to battle it out for a place in the grand finals, which will be held at Market Road in Islington on Wednesday, August 29.
Celebrating its ninth year, the tournament uses the power of football to help tackle territorial tensions by encouraging young people from various backgrounds to work together to create a safe and welcoming competition.
The football extravaganza, funded by the Department for Government and local communities, burst into life on Saturday with a glitzy opening ceremony as dancers, drummers and rappers showed off their skills in the Urban Unity competition.
The action on the pitch was just as thrilling as that on the stage as a host of under-18s teams went head to head in a series of nail-biting knockout matches.
In the end, debutants London Tigers, BBK, CCR and Osborne United became the first teams to secure a place at the Astroturf pitches on finals day.
Next up is the boys’ under-12s category, which is being held at Coram’s Fields on Saturday. Defending champions South Hampstead Football Club will be among the teams looking to hit the headlines as they close in on back-to-back Unity Cup titles.
Run by the Camden Sports Development Team, the triumphant South Hampstead side celebrated in style last time out when they notched up the biggest win of the tournament courtesy of a 9-0 victory over Swiss Lithgow.
The girls’ under-12s and under-14s divisions are both being staged at the Swiss Cottage Sports Centre on Tuesday, before the girls’ under-16s teams step out at the same venue in Winchester Road on Thursday.
There are two separate dates for the boys’ under-16s competitions, which is being held at the Castlehaven Sports Pitch next Friday (August 10) and then again at Cantelows Gardens on Monday, August 20.
There are also two dates for the boys’ under-14s categories, starting at Haverstock School in Chalk Farm on August 21, and then again two days later at Kilburn Grange Park (August 23). The only remaining fixtures will see the boys’ under-10s teams battle it out at the Camden Sports Pitch in Camden Street on August 18.