Football is a favourite here at FOCUS. For staff, volunteers and young people alike, nothing’s better than playing, watching or talking about the beautiful game. So when we were deciding on this year’s fundraiser, a football tournament was a no-brainer!
We set up ‘FOCUS on Business Walking FoB-Ball’, a walking-football tournament for businesses across Leicester. Walking-football is a recent take on the sport, where players cannot run, amongst other rule-changes. It makes for an excellent social-sport, perfect for networking, and accessible regardless of age or ability.
Six teams signed up with the mission of becoming our first FOCUS on Business FoB-Ball Champions:
- BNI Foxes
- The Rotary Club of Leicester
- Futures Housing and Garner Bailey, who joined forces
- The Fox Trotters, an experienced team of players from Leicester City in the Community, and
- Two teams of FOCUS volunteers and alumni, creating the Stars and the Dynamos
We kicked off on Sunday 22nd October – a beautiful late-autumn afternoon at St Margaret’s Pastures Sports Centre. Many were playing for the first time, but each team brought their a-game, with the right balance of good spirits and competitive edge. The final took place between the Foxtrotters and BNI Foxes. It took a penalty shoot-out to separate them, with BNI Foxes taking home the trophy!
Walking FoB-Ball raised much needed funds for FOCUS, helped to raise our profile in the city’s business and community sector, and gave everyone a good laugh. The event was also received very well – we will have to do this again for 2024! We are looking forward to seeing you then.
