Last week Blackpool FC Community Trust re-ignited our partnership with Blackpool Lightpool Festival to host our third Fit2Glow Football Festival.
Held at the fantastic indoor facilities at Stanley Park Sports Centre, 11 mixed Year 2 teams from 11 Blackpool schools stepped into the darkness to take part in the unique event.
After so many months away from inter-school events, it was emphasised that the festival was focused on fun and fairness and embracing the opportunity for pupils to compete with their peers. Players wore their brightly coloured team bibs and matching fluorescent headbands and wristbands to ensure that even though the lights were out they could still spot their teammates.
Over the 1 ½ hour session, the teams played multiple games testing their dribbling, turning and shooting on the mini 5 a-side pitches, lit up by neon markings and ultraviolet lights provided by Blackpool Illumination Team. The event saw lots of goals scored, and even more smiles as the children relaxed and enjoyed the ‘new way’ to play football.
Marc Joseph – Blackpool FC Community Trust
“The Trust has been waiting a long time to get back to hosting these fantastic events, that give the children opportunities they would probably never experience again. Seeing school children running around and having fun makes the preparation worthwhile. We have worked with the Lightpool Festival for a number of years now, and as a Trust, we want to use this event to highlight the amazing events that run during the Blackpool Illuminations”.
Mr Fogg – Norbreck Academy
The Norbreck children loved the event. Although initially apprehensive, they thoroughly enjoyed the new experience of playing football, in the dark. The event was really well organised, Covid safe, and ran smoothly. We look forward to participating in the Fit2Glow Festival again next year.
