Saturday, January 17 saw the 5th annual “One Day, One Goal” charity football event – hosted by United Football – take place at St. Andrews International School, Green Valley.
The focus of the day was to raise funds for 3 sponsored charities: Shelter Center Pattaya, Sanuk Day Care Centre and Fountain of Life. This was achieved through holding the football competition involving 5 local international schools and from donations from the school community and other businesses.
Teams from St. Andrews School were the most successful at the tournament with 5 age group wins.
The day was split into 2 parts: a morning football competition for local schools and a fun afternoon for children from the 3 charities. The football tournament saw St. Andrews, ISE, Regents, REPS and Garden International School take part in 8 different age group competitions. The standard of football was of the highest quality throughout the day. Over 300 children paid to play, with all money added to the fundraising, with children as young as 5 through to 13 showcasing their enthusiasm and ability in the ‘beautiful game’.
You’ll never walk alone – a young goalie watches play develop upfield.
While the results were not the most important aspect of the day, St. Andrews, who are coached by United Football, finished as champions in 5 of the 8 competitions, with REPS taking 2 and GIS the other.
During the football competition, St. Andrews school’s Parent Teacher Group (PTG) were busily preparing hot dogs, snacks and beverages for the hungry hordes of children and adults descending upon them. Several other stalls were in attendance including the Marriott Rayong, Mrs. Serre from the school community with her beautifully hand crafted bags, Pattaya Family Bike Day and some of the dedicated school students who had prepared fun games for the children to compete in. Each stall raised money and awareness for the charities.
The St. Andrews playing field was a hive of activity during the morning football tournament.
In the afternoon, children from the charity organizations arrived at St. Andrews to have a fun afternoon. The children received some expert football coaching through fun activities, were able to swim in the school pool and could play on a bouncy castle. In total, 130 children were present to enjoy the day and the smiles on their faces as they played in the sun will stay with the organisers for a long time.
Football possibly not the favourite sport for this team of cheerleaders
The children were also able to take away many gifts courtesy of the generous sponsors, such as t-shirts, football kits and footballs, hot food, magic box sets, cookies and much more.
The organisers wish to say a big thank you to all the sponsors who include: COGNITA Education, United Football, Rayong Ladies Committee, Kaochareon Transport, Hanky Panky Games, Marriott Rayong, St. Andrews Parent Teacher Group, St. Andrews CAS students, and The Steve Bernard Foundation, UK.
The total money raised and donated to charity exceeded 100,000 baht, which made the day all the more special!
Children from Shelter Center Pattaya gave an impromptu Hawaiian dance show at the St. Andrews school swimming pool.
