Heartwarming sports tournament takes place in Leeds - with competitors aged nine to 76
A sports tournament designed to challenge stereotypes and unite different generations took place in Leeds this week.
The event, which was organised by the Age Friendly Team at Leeds Older People’s Forum, saw competitors from the ages of nine to 76 take part in friendly football, netball, and cricket games at the YMCA pitch on Old Otley Road.
Tony Mullin, a member of the Age Friendly Leeds Team said the tournament, which took place on Wednesday, March 24, “exceeded expectations” and received “fantastic feedback” from the community.
“It was like a dream, it was absolutely brilliant,” Tony told the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“Everybody really enjoyed themselves. It’s such a great way for people to come together and socialise and play sports with different generations.”
The tournament involved pupils from St Bartholomew's School, West Leeds Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre, and sixth formers from St Mary’s Menston.
They each played in rotation against three older teams: Bramley Walking Wanderers, U3A Leeds, and Headingley Netwalkers.
A total of 75 people were in attendance either as players, volunteers, or crowd supporters.
For Tony, the aim was about “making memories” and to combat misassumptions each generation faces.
Tony said: “Young people seeing older adults play competitive sport, it just speaks volumes.
“They now have that memory of seeing older adults in their 60s and 70s playing football, scoring goals and runs.
“Ageism also affects young people. All we ever hear about the younger generation is that they spend all their time on their phones and (the tournament) was a great way of countering that narrative too.”
The event was the first of its kind by the Leeds Older People’s Forum, and after Wednesday’s success, they are already considering how they could stage the next one in the future.
Tony said: “This was very much a first but we’ve been thinking about whether we should do it again because a lot of people have asked.
“They loved not just playing the sport but playing against people of different ages and abilities.
“It was such fun.”