The annual ESS Festival of Football saw some 500 RAF Footballers descend upon the JJB Soccer Dome at Pride Park, Derby, on 6 February 2008. The tournament, sponsored by ESS, brought together 34 male teams and 10 female teams all challenging for the honour of being RAFFA Five-a-Side Champions for 2008.
The male tournament commenced with 6 mini-leagues of 6 teams before progressing into a cup and plate competition. Both finalists from the cup competition would be invited by the FA to represent the Royal Air Force at the Umbro Regional Five-a-Side Competition. The female event commenced with 2 mini-leagues comprising of 5 teams and also concluded with finals competing for the cup and plate. The winner of the female cup competition would join their male counterparts in the Regional Competition.
The RAF Football Development Officer, John Duff, who headed the team that organised the event was quick to praise his colleagues Vince Williams and Sheila Hainings…
“Without whom it would have been impossible to organise such a large scale event”.
Speaking of the tournament John added…
“Throughout the year there has been an amazing level of interest created from last year’s event. The ESS Festival of Football is undoubtedly an established event in the RAF football calendar and it is great to see so many familiar faces. This year some 30 units have participated and the standard of football has definitely improved.”
The President of the Royal Air Force Football Association, Air Vice Marshal Maddox, echoed these words…
“The Festival of Football is such an important event in the calendar of the RAFFA as it unites all the stations through a shared passion for the game. It is especially pleasing during such a period whereby we are asking so much of our people, deployed on and in support of operations.”
Discussing the event pitch-side the Air Vice Marshal was quick to note the high level of enthusiasm brimming within the JJB Soccer Dome…
“It has been extremely pleasing to witness so many people, both male and female, demonstrating such dedication, not only the players but also those in supporting roles too. These events will undoubtedly contribute to improving fitness levels which aligned with the revised fitness test is so very important operationally.”
Following the group stages the final for the women’s plate was closely fought in a tight game but RAF Leeming were edged out, by one goal to nil, by the victors from the combined team representing RAF Brampton/Wyton/Henlow. The ESS Festival of Football Cup was won by RAF Coningsby whose two – nil victory over RAF Brize Norton brought home the silverware and a place in this year’s Regional Competition.
Women’s football continues to grow and has often been toted as the fastest growing sport in the United Kingdom today. This comes as no surprise to Senior Aircraftman Dave Potter who has been involved as the Goal Keeping Coach with the RAF Ladies Representative Team for the last year. Dave stated that…
“I’ve been continually impressed with the standard of the Ladies’ football since I first got involved. Watching the games today has not disappointed either. There is some fantastic talent out there.”
The men’s final of the ESS Festival of Football Plate was contested between RAF Leeming and RAF Cottesmore, with RAF Cottesmore winning, by one goal to nil, in what was a closely fought match. The ESS Festival of Football Cup too was a highly competitive game between RAF Lyneham B versus RAF Wittering. Whilst RAF Wittering had the better of the game it was RAF Lyneham B who took the lead from a well-executed free kick. RAF Wittering worked hard to get back into the game however fortune seemed to favour RAF Lyneham as RAF Wittering struck the frame of the goal 3 times. Persistence paid off and in the final minute RAF Wittering was rewarded with an equalising goal. Stalemate saw the game concluded by penalties. The successors were RAF Wittering; winning by 6 spot kicks to 5. The final was an excellent game that befitted the standard of football and competitiveness displayed throughout the day.
Summarising the ESS Festival of Football from a Referees perspective, the Chairman of the RAF Referees, Sqn Ldr Will Wain explained that…
“The Festival of Football is a great opportunity for the RAF football community to socialise, bringing together the Referees and players. All of the games have been played in a competitive but fair spirit, which is great to see. All of the referees participating today have thoroughly enjoyed themselves.”
Representing the sponsors, ESS, Mr Ray Innes was delighted with the success of the tournament and at having the opportunity to meet so many of the players; to witness first hand the enthusiasm brought about through the ESS Festival of Football. Speaking on behalf of the company Ray explained…
“The company is pleased to witness our sponsorship enable such a large event to happen. It has been absolutely fantastic to see such enthusiasm and support despite the heavy operational commitments that the armed forces are committed to.”
Having watched the tournament it was clear to see that football is healthy within the RAF and that it continues to bring many positives to so many people. People such as Senior Aircraftwoman Kirby Colgan, an Aerospace Systems Operator from RAF Boulmer, and Senior Aircraftwoman Caz Gardiner, an Aircraft Mechanic from RAF Leconfield. Caz, who plays for the RAF Ladies Representative Team explained that…
“Football keeps you motivated to remain in the RAF, it is a great incentive.”
An opinion shared by Kirby, also of the RAF Ladies Representative Team, who had considered her future in the RAF and was determined to leave.
“Football has really inspired me and changed my outlook on RAF life. Playing football is a great way to shake off the toils of the working day. Since being selected for the RAF Ladies I have gone on to complete my Coaching Level 2 course hoping that I can put something back into the game. Needless to say I look forward to a long a prosperous career in the RAF.”
Good luck to the men’s teams from RAF Wittering and RAF Lyneham and the ladies team from RAF Coningsby who will be invited to represent the RAF in this year’s Umbro Regional Five-a-Side Competition. Congratulations to all those involved in organising this years ESS Festival of Football. The tournament was a great success, building upon last years inaugural event. The date for next year’s tournament will be announced soon on the RAFFA Website.
Alternatively liaise with your unit’s OIC Football Club or PedO for further information.
Commiserations go out to RAF Aldergrove who was unable to participate in the event owing to the severe weather conditions preventing travel across the Irish Sea. We look forward to seeing you next year. The RAF Stations that participated in the 2008 ESS Festival of Football include
Benson
Boulmer
Brampton/Wyton/Henlow
Brize Norton
Buchan
Chicksands
Coningsby
Cosford
Cottesmore
Cranwell
Digby
Halton
Henlow
High Wycombe
Honington
Kinloss
Leeming
Linto-on-Ouse
Lyneham
Marham
Northolt
Northwood
Odiham
Scampton
Spadeadam
St Athan
Uxbridge
Valley
Waddington
Wittering