Mekong University’s football pitch was the venue for this year’s tournament. There were 29 teams, including 2 teams from UWC East, Singapore and teams from Kampot, Banteay Meanchey, Battambang and Sihanoukville. 25 teams contested the U13 trophy while 4 teams worked each other over in the U10s tournament.

ISF is committed to children and young adults with disabilities. This year’s tournament had 2 deaf teams integrated and playing in the main tournament as well as a team from Rabbit and one from House of Smiles playing an exhibition game. Both organisations do a fantastic job working with children and young adults with intellectual disabilities.

Each year, you hear the same comments “How good is this” and there must be some truth to that, as professional football team scouts were down looking at the talent for their respective academies.

The round robin competition showcased the skills of all the teams; it also reflects the teams that have worked hard on conditioning, training and team work; as it’s a long hot day.

ISF’s Flying Tigers had the only female player in the competition; Song Channa (who has represented Cambodia in the Female National Team). Channa plays in the boys league to maintain her fitness and skill levels. She’s fast, talented and has a lethal left foot scoring 2 goals in the 2-1 win over The Blue Eagles from Andong Community in the semi final.

The Cavalry (KCD Battambang) marched their way to the U13 final in a dominating show of skill from the first minute of the tournament. The Flying Tigers were the surprise opposition; however, in hindsight, with an excellent goalkeeper giving the team an air of confidence, they exceeded expectations.

The final was exciting; opportunities at both ends, with both goalkeepers maintaining their team’s aspirations alive with great displays. It had been a long day; but no one could deny the final continued the whole day’s high standard of football. An opportunity from outside the penalty area; the shot dipping after it beat the ISF’s goalkeeper was the game breaker; 1-0 to The Cavalry and that was the final result.

The Flying Tigers were disappointed but when Kate Griffin mentioned Swensens for ice cream, the mood changed to smiles and the ice cream was a good substitute for the trophy.

Lets not forget the future stars; the U10s final went to a penalty shoot out with a 4-2 win to the Seasiders over Sunshine. Martin Cubbon, their sponsor, has probably signed them all up for Blackpool.

The real highlight of the day was the use of this tournament as a platform for ISF to further expand its ‘Sports For All Abilities’ programme while celebrating the British Embassy’s 60th anniversary in Phnom Penh. Two teams of intellectually disabled players were invited to participate in a friendly game during the tournament lunchtime break. The players arrived early to watch some of the PwC ISF Tournament games and socialise with the other players. Social inclusion for these players and the opportunity for participation in organised sports are two of the goals of ISF’s football programme.

This match was the most watched game of the day with everyone in attendance surrounding the sidelines cheering on both teams. The game ended 6-4 to Hagar House of Smiles but the result was irrelevant to all the players on the field as they celebrated and congratulated each goal regardless of which net it landed in!

The medal presentation for these teams received the loudest cheers of the day as May Tola, Deputy General Secretary of the Football Federation of Cambodia and the Deputy British Ambassador, Lesley Saunderson presented both teams with medals and prizes for participation.

A big thank you to all the UWC East teachers and parents who spent the day keeping the hundreds of children entertained with face painting, balloons and games.