TackleAfrica Jersey Football Marathon - 2nd June 2018 - Looking for teams to sign up

Following six very successful events since 2012 the TackleAfrica Jersey Football Marathon is back for 2018. The event, which involves squads of 8 people playing 6-a-side football for 12 hours, was first run in London in 2002. Now in its 16th year the Marathon has raised over £1,500,000 for TackleAfrica and this year as well as London and Jersey, Football Marathon events will also take place in Lancaster, York, Newcastle and Brighton.

This year the Jersey Football Marathon will be held on the 2^nd June  and once again at Les Quennevais sports centre.  Kick off is at 8am, with final presentations at 8pm. Teams should register for the event by 5pm Friday 27^th April.

Local organiser, John Gamble, said: “The Football Marathon is always a very special day, but last year’s was phenomenal, so we’re very excited about this year.  We’ve had people badgering us to set the date for 2018 so we’re delighted to announce we’re back for 2018.  The Football Marathon is a challenging event, but it’s a great day out and you get a fantastic buzz from playing. It always wonderful to see returning players from previous years and to meet all the new teams taking part.  We’re thrilled to have the support of Les Quennevais Sports Centre once again, and we’re aiming break more records this year.”

More information can be found out at: https://tackleafrica.org/marathon/jersey-football-marathon-2018/

Football Marathon Events in Jersey
A football marathon has been run in Jersey each year since 2012.  Regularly attracting nearly 200 players supporters and helpers, all contributing to raise funds for TackleAfrica.  In 2017, the 6th annual Jersey Football Marathon was held at Les Quennevais Sports Centre.  16 teams took part, each playing at least 20 games of 20 minute football over the course of a 12 hour fundraising super tournament.

Here are some key stats:

• · 148 games were played
• · An incredible 816 goals were scored
• · Real Invalid lifted the trophy repeating their win in 2012 conceding a miserly 28 goals over the course of the day.
• · “Sirloin of Beef” a touring side from London visited the island to take part, one of three football marathons they took part in that year.

The event raised over £23,000, taking the 6-year total over £80,000.

The money raised will help TackleAfrica deliver life-saving HIV education through football coaching to young people across Africa.   £10,000 is enough to train and support 50 African coaches to deliver regular HIV education sessions to 2,000 young people in their communities for a year.

TackleAfrica would like to say a huge thank you to the Organising Committee, Les Quennevais Sports Centre for providing excellent playing facilities, and to everyone who played, volunteered and donated.  We look forward to seeing you all again this year!