Third outing for Mayor’s Cup

Action from the 2012 tournament.

Tower Hamlets has a long established football heritage – but in April all footballing eyes will be focussed on one of the youngest competitions in the borough. The Mayor’s Cup began in 2011, as the Borough’s first directly elected Mayor, Lutfur Rahman, wanted to encourage younger citizens to take part in ethnically mixed football.

In just its second year, over 70 teams joined in the competition’s eight categories. This year, there will be nine categories covering junior, youth and adult players. The one regret is that – despite the Mayor’s efforts – there is disproportionately little involvement of girls and women in the teams. The “juniors” category is open to mixed teams, but otherwise the teams are male. Given that the Borough is supporting women’s football training in an attempt to get more young women playing regularly, perhaps it is time for the Mayor to consider adding a women’s cup to the competition – and inviting a professional team to play a demonstration game.

The 2013 tournament will kick off with heats on 6th and 7th April at Victoria Park and on 13th April at Mile End Stadium – both being played on Astro Turf pitches. The big day will come on 14th April at Mile End Stadium, when the final is played on the grass pitch.

The People’s Oli (Cllr Oliur Rahman, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services) has made his pronouncement on this year’s event: “I encourage young people to join in and have fun.” What are you waiting for?

•To find out more about entering or sponsoring the Mayor’s Cup call Derek Bennett on 020-7364 2681 or email Derek.Bennett@towerhamlets.gov.uk.