The Hammers community department organising huge youth tournament
After a superb first year of action, West Ham United and Lycamobile have teamed up once again to herald the return of the highly-acclaimed Lycamobile Cup, where local youngsters can get the chance to play at the Boleyn Ground.
The youth football tournament for under-12s and under-14s saw 4,500 youngsters participate last season with Redbridge under-12s and West Ham United Kicks under-14s taking the honours.
The second season of the event was launched this week at West Ham’s Community Hub in Beckton with guests Carlton Cole and Joey O’Brien in attendance, where the first of five competitive heats kicked things off, with the remaining rounds taking place between now and April 2015.
The tournament will culminate in an exclusive finals day for players and their families at Upton Park next May where finalists will get the chance to play on the hallowed turf.
In addition, Lycamobile will also have a presence at a series of football roadshows which are to be held in Beckton, Newham, Stepney and Mile End over the next year.
Hammers chairman David Gold is delighted the event is back this year.
“I know that the Lycamobile Cup was hugely popular with youngsters last year and so it great to see that our Community Sports Trust and Lycamobile are running it once more,” said Gold.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for east Londoners to run out at the Boleyn Ground next summer, a prize that is now extra special with the move to the new stadium less than two years away.”
Subaskaran Allirajah, the group chairman of Lycamobile echoed those thoughts.
“Following the tremendous success of the 2013/14 Lycamobile Cup season, and the enormous appetite we’ve seen for the programme amongst youngsters, we are delighted to bring the Lycamobile Cup back this year,” he said.
“We are committed in the long term to ensuring that people’s lives continue to be enriched by sport and we look forward to supporting the West Ham United Community Sports Trust in inspiring today’s youth to develop the skills of competition, drive and ambition to succeed.”
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