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2010 FIL championship ready to excite
| Published: 12th July 2010 17:37 |
THE 2010 FIL World Championships get underway on Thursday (July 15) with 30 nations in Manchester ready to battle for honours on the biggest stage.
Pictured (above): Official 2010 FIL World Championships mascot Chester can't wait for the action to begin
By Neil Goulding
Photos by Marcus Sandy and Made in Manchester
But before the senior tournaments faces off at the University of Manchester Armitage Centre, there's already been plenty of excitement with the Community Festival having proved a big hit for players and lacrosse fans.
The sun has shone in Manchester with four titles already decided in the Under-12, Under-14, Under-16 and Under-19 Boys age groups.
And with tournament sponsor Mahou San Miguel having opened up it's pumps to supply plenty of premium lager, as well as the impressive 2010 FIL World Championship Retail Village having officially opened it's doors, there's a lot to keep fans occupied when they're taking a break from the exciting action.
So what's been happening so far? Well......
Community Festival proves perfect curtain-raiser to 2010 FIL World Championships...
Pictured: Timperley Under-19s celebrate their Community Festival with official 2010 FIL World Championships' mascot Chester
THE 2010 FIL World Championships Community Festival proved to be the perfect start to what promises to be a wonderful tournament of lacrosse here in Manchester.
A total of 14 teams did battle in the Boys Under-14 Junior Club Festival as the opening action gave spectators a taste of the thrills and spills they are expected to witness for the duration of this year's special event being staged at the University of Manchester Armitage Centre.
And there was also action in the Boys Under-19 Club Festival, with both finals contested on the Blue Division Championship pitch, the pitch which will be used to contest this year's showcase final on "Super" Saturday 24th July.
It proved to be a great day for lacrosse as the sun shone brightly and spectators flooded through the gates to watch plenty of exciting lacrosse.
To see what happened check out the official 2010 FIL World Championships website at http://www.2010worldlacrosse.com/. And for a sneak preview of what happened and for photos of the action so far, keep reading this e-newsletter.
Brooklands Hulmeians win inaugural Under-14 Community Festival crown...
Pictured: Brooklands Hulmeians celebrate winning the Under-14s Boys Community Festival title on the opening day of the 2010 World Championships...and the team's two skippers with the special winner's Shield
BROOKLANDS Hulmeians tasted sweet success as this year's Community Festival...
Hulmeians impressed as they remained unbeaten in the group stages, before turning on the style in the semi-finals and showcase final, the latter which was played on the official Blue Division pitch.
In fact Hulmeians didn't concede a goal in the entire competition as they strung together six successive victories.
Having bagged 14 goals in four games to finish second in the group standings behind Sheffield Steelers, Hulmeians then beat Rochdale 4-0 to deservedly book their place in the final.
Timperley toast Under-19 Community Festival title...
Pictured (above): All smiles for Timperley's captains
TIMPERLEY had plenty to smile about as they were crowned the inaugural 2010 World Championship Under-19 Community Festival winners on the opening weekend of this year's special tournament being staged in Manchester.
Unbeaten all season, the talented teenagers remained unbeaten in the group stages of the competition and then cruised to a 5-0 win over Manchester Waconians in the semi-finals.
But the Stockport Road club had to come back from behind in this year's showcase final as Sheffield Steelers pushed them all the way.
Steelers, who finished second in the qualifying group and who beat Brooklands Hulmeians 4-0 in their semi-final, took a deserved lead through Andy Oliver.
However, goals from Will Hawksley and Greg Sandy made sure that Timperley took the title at University of Manchester Armitage Centre.
And then the George's Road side wrapped up a good day at the office by beating Poynton 2-0 in the showcase.
Sheffield Steelers crowned Under-12 Community Festival winners...
Pictured (above): Sheffield Steelers' victorious Under-12 team after winning this year's title...and two of the team ready for action
SHEFFIELD Steelers were on Cloud 9 after they were crowned the inaugural Community Festival Under-12s winners in Manchester.
The South Yorkshire youngsters turned on the style to finish top of their qualifying group with a perfect record, before beating Rochdale 3-0 in the semi-finals then Timperley 3-1 in the overall final.
Rising stars Tom Cox, Ajay Boweryxz and Elliott Ogle scored the winning goals for Steelers, much to the delight of their coach Chris Dale.
Dale reflected: "It was a great team effort. There's no superstars in this team, they all work hard for each other...and that's showed in winning this title. It's a huge honour for the club."
Heaton Mersey savour Under-16s Community Festival glory...
Pictured (above): Heaton Mersey's successful Under-16 Community Festival winning side...and in action (right)
HEATON MERSEY celebrated winning this year's 2010 FIL World Championships Under-16s Community Festival with official tournament mascot Chester.
Chester was pitchside to congratulate the Oakley Villas club as they impressed to beat Sheffield Steelers in this year's inaugural final.
Two goals each for Ryan Hunns and Joe Sherlock, and a well-taken goal from Joe Anderson, did the trick as Mersey recovered from an opening defeat to deservedly scoopy welcome silverware.
Mersey head coach Alan Nunns confessed: "I don't know how we've managed to win. We lost our opening match 4-3, but the lads have been brilliant and done the club proud."
Some tickets still available for this year's FIL World Championships...come and watch!!!
Pictured (above): Official 2010 FIL World Championships mascot Chester lends his support to some of our England players
THERE are still tickets available for this year's 2010 FIL World Championships.
So don't miss the chance to watch the best lacrosse in the world as 30 nations do battle on the international stage in Manchester.
For more information visit the official Manchester 2010 FIL World Championships website www.2010worldlacrosse.com and check out the 'Tickets' tab from the navigation bar.
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