Aberdeen’s annual football festival has been launched today highlighting its goal to make football accessible for everyone in the community.
The Denis Law Legacy Trust Community Football Festival, which will celebrate its 5th anniversary this year, will take place at Aberdeen Sports Village from July 20 -28.
Hosted by Aberdeen Sports Village in association with Denis Law Streetsport, Aberdeen Football Club, the Scottish Football Association, the AFC Community Trust, and the Active Girls Committee, the festival is supported and endorsed by iconic Scottish football legend, Denis Law CBE, who originated from Aberdeen and had a successful career as a striker for clubs, including Manchester United and Manchester City.
Organisers announced a range of events taking place at ASV in the city’s Linksfield Road which target all abilities, from toddlers to over 60s.
Mr Law, now aged 79, is encouraging more mature players to get involved in the invitational walking football: “This summer will see the fifth anniversary of the Denis Law Trust’s community football festival and whilst walking football has played its part each year, we want to make this year’s event bigger than ever.
“As such, I would like to invite you and your team to enter this year’s inaugural Denis Law Invitational, our dedicated walking football tournament.
“Summer is a time to enjoy with others and get out and about, and my friends at the Denis Law legacy Trust and Aberdeen Sports Village have come up with a fantastic opportunity for you to do just that.”
The football festival will take place just weeks after the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and organisers are hoping this will encourage more girls from primary four to secondary year two to take part in the girls’ sports festival this year.
It is estimated that more than 1500 participants will take part in the activities and North-east businesses are being encouraged to support the festival by entering team in the Denis Law Trophy Corporate 7s, which takes place at ASV on July 24.
Registered charity, ASV, run and manage the tournament on behalf of the Denis Law Legacy Trust. ASV CEO Duncan Sinclair said: “The Denis Law Legacy Trust Community Football Festival is an exciting part of our summer programme every year. Getting people across our community involved in sport is a key focus for us and the football festival has the same goals so we are delighted to host it at our world-class facilities.
“We want to see people of all ages and abilities using our facilities and getting excited about sport, so we’re thrilled that thousands of visitors will be pitching up to enjoy the festival and be inspired to get fit and choose a healthy lifestyle.
“The timing of the festival just after the Women’s World Cup is perfect for encouraging girls to take part and show off their footballing skills. This is the second year we have hosted the Girls Festival and it is hugely popular as women’s football continues to evolve massively in the UK and around the world, so it’s brilliant to see the sport growing on a local level too.”
A registered charity, The Denis Law Legacy Trust operates and delivers a number of programmes that enable young people to take part in and gain free access to sport and other creative activities within their local communities. With the aim to reduce instances of youth crime and anti-social behavior; promote health and wellbeing and encourage inclusivity through sport, physical activity and creative endeavor.
The festival will culminate with a family sports day at ASV on Sunday, July 28, with a fun filled programme of activities for children aged 5-12.
Denis Law