Five a side frenzy in SW6
Tuesday July 20, 2010
When the Paggs Cup began nine years ago just 45 children took part. For the 2010 tournament, in South Park, Fulham, an astonishing 93 teams were competing!
The cup was the prize at stake for 800 young footballers from across the borough on Sunday, July 4, and the event organised by Fulham restaurant Il Pagliaccio is now the largest of its kind in London.
Youngsters aged six to 16 competed in the free five-a-side competition playing in six different age categories.
World cup replica trophies were handed out to the winning teams and every player involved on the day received a medal.
The Wandsworth Bridge Road restaurant's owner and event organiser Teo Catino said: "I think the event has been great. All the people who took part really enjoyed it. Over 90 teams turned up and we will be doing it again next year."
The event was created by Teo, 45, to use football as a diversion from antisocial behaviour happening near to his business at the time.
"When I started the Paggs Cup there were no community officers and a lot of kids were breaking into cars around the restaurant," he said. "Then I went to them and asked why they did it, gave them a pizza, then I organised the Pagliaccio Cup so they knew me more and they were introduced to the local police."
Teo says he can see a difference in the children and the effect the competition has had on them: "I think the area has become better, the kids are more relaxed, and the headteachers come to me and ask for my support or ideas," he added.
As the competition's popularity has increased, support from other businesses has grown and the competition is backed by the safer neighbourhoods scheme and Fulham Football Club - and by h&f news.
Gary Bird, from the Fulham FC Foundation, said: "It was a really great event. Ten extra teams turned up on the day and we set up another tournament so that they could all be involved.
"The Paggs Cup is a great opportunity for the local community to participate and volunteer to a great event which Fulham Football Club are proud to be part of."
Richard Powers, community support officer from the safer neighbourhoods scheme, believes events like the Paggs Cup are important in tackling antisocial behaviour.
"From a police point of view it's a great tool in getting kids of the street and getting them into a competition which is free," he said. "In getting the kids of their estates and playing football for a day it breaks down barriers with the police and people like Teo."
"What Teo does by going to the kids and saying 'I will give you this for free and you respect me' works quite well.
"We are very happy in taking part, helping to organise it, but it is costing Teo a lot of money and we just wanted to keep getting sponsors in.
"Not only does the Il Pagliaccio tournament connect children with members of the community but it's also a chance for them to get spotted by clubs like Fulham."
Gary added: "We had a guy from Hurlingham Park scouted a few years ago. He came through the academy and was with us for four years."
The tournament takes 15 people six months to organise but even that doesn't deter Teo, who feels the tournament will get bigger and bigger.
With more teams than ever competing this year, other businesses across the borough are helping out financially.
The night before the Paggs Cup an auction was held at Il Pagliaccio restaurant with all the proceeds going towards the cost of running the tournament.
On the night there was live music, and among the items up for auction was an England shirt signed by the players who beat Germany 5-1 in 2001.
Britain's top female boxer Hannah Beharry signed autographs for the 120 people at the event and live music was played by opera band La Banda Italiana.
Original posters from films such as The Godfather and La Dolce Vita were also included in the auction alongside a pair of boxing gloves signed by Hannah.
Unfortunately England's poor showing at this year's World Cup meant that interest in the signed shirt was not as high as expected and it remained unsold... but despite the disappointment in the star lot not selling, more than £3,000 was raised on the night.
"I got involved in the project through Richard (Powers) who comes down to the gym where I train," said Hannah. "I thought what they were doing for the community is really good and it is something I wanted to be involved in."
Teo's other efforts to raise money for a good cause include making a pizza that was 275 metres long for the Royal Marsden Cancer campaign two years ago and raising £25,000 in the process.
Il Pagliaccio, 182-184 Wandsworth Bridge Road, SW6 2UF. Call 020 7371 5253.
Paggs Cup winners:
5-6: All Saints Golden Eagles win the group
7-8: Doverhouse Lions beat Sands End 5-4 on penalties (1-1)
9 -10: Brickie Rangers 5-0 Fit4Kidz Lionz
11-12: AC Fulham Reds 2-1 Brickie Rangers B
13-14: Falcon 2-0 West Ken Rovers
15 -16: Compton 5-1 Il Mulino
