Exeter City celebrate diversity with international football tournament

Following the huge success of last weekend’s Respect Festival in Exeter, which was attended by 22,500 people, Exeter City is backing the annual One Game One Community tournament, which celebrates diversity in the local community, on Sunday 9 June 2013.

The competition, now in its ninth year, encourages participation from local black and minority ethnic teams and attracts players from many different parts of the world. Past winners include sides representing Poland, Slovakia, Afghanistan and Lithuania.

The tournament has been organised by Exeter City’s One Game One Community Group and Exeter City’s Football in the Community department and is being supported by the University of Exeter, who are hosting the event, Exeter City Council, Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon FA, Exeter City’s Supporters’ Trust, and Tesco.

Also helping to organise the competition have been members of Open Space International FC. The new club, which involves players from previous One Game One Community tournaments, has just played its first season in the Devon and Exeter League.

“The tournament is not only a very enjoyable day but as Open Space International has shown it can be a building block towards regular league football” said Suaad Genem George, from the tournament organising group.
The event, which takes place at the University’s Streatham sports complex, will be launched at 10am by Mark Overton, the University’s deputy vice-chancellor and Superintendent Chris Eastwood from Devon and Cornwall Police. Guests from Exeter City Council and Exeter City FC will also be in attendance.

As well as the main trophy the players will compete for the Fran Jenkin Fair Play Award. Match officials will also receive trophies in memory of Duncan Underhill.   

One Game One Community is part of the national Kick it Out campaign which aims to address all types of discrimination in football including race, disability, gender, age, religion and sexual orientation.
“Exeter City is once again reaching out to all parts of the local community. This is a tournament with a difference and a flagship for equality and diversity” said Martin Weiler, for the Exeter City One Game One Community Group.

For more information ring Martin Weiler on 07768 276805