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Cork Thursday
Plenty of festive fun in store as Leisure Leagues – Europe’s largest provider of small sided soccer – celebrate their most successful year.
Mince Pies, sherry and eggnog has been swapped for footballs, astroturf and goals at The Sports Village in Cork, where the league winners won’t be given Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh, but instead gifts of champagne, crystal trophies and an invite to the Leisure Leagues National Tournament in the (hopefully) warmer weather of the summer. And, proving that Santa forgets no-one, the bottom team gets a present of their own - a wooden spoon to eat their Christmas pudding with.
And with more leagues than ever to choose from Senior Manager Chris Rowntree said joining the league provided the perfect stocking filler and was a great way to work off all those turkey sandwiches: “All of us over-indulge at this time of year, so what better way to run it all off than playing a game of soccer with your mates,” he said.
“It can also be a stressful time for people and anyone who has been shopping recently has probably had their own ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ – so all we want to offer is a fun, competitive game each week.”
2008 has been something of a year of celebration for Leisure Leagues, as it was not only their 30th anniversary but they also ran their first ever National Tournament – won by team a team from Galway and launched small sided football’s first ever interactive website and Chris added that they would continue to grow in 2009. “We have more leagues planned throughout next year, and we will be constantly looking to improve wherever we possibly can,” he commented.
Teams continue to sign up every day and enjoy the fun, such as Regardless, who turned up to a recent match in fancy dress – and won 1-0! It is not known whether the Ghost Of Christmas Past popped in unnoticed to score the winner, but Chris said this was a fine example of the type of atmosphere they wanted at the leagues. “We are proud that we run leagues for the community – we give all our profits to charity and environmental causes – and it means everything to us to see teams enjoying themselves like that.”
Teams that do sign up to the league, which takes place at The Sports Village on Thursdays, will have everything taken care of, and although we can’t promise carolling players are welcome to sing something appropriate like “Away In A Manager” perhaps.
Anyone who wants more information on the six-a-side leagues can ring 0818 240 246 or visit www.leisureleagues.ie for more information.
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 Santa plays at Leisure Leagues
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