Girls display top class football skills at memorial tournament

More than 100 girls took part in a football tournament established in memory of former Exeter journalist and CITY Community Trust operations manager Catherine Fraser.

The event, which took place at Exeter University, saw 10 teams from schools across Devon play against each other in two competitions.

The teams were from The Maynard School (Exeter), Queen Elizabeth’s School (Crediton), St Luke’s College (Exeter), Newton Abbot College, Cranbrook Education Campus, Colyton Grammar School and Exmouth Community College.

Catherine’s mum, Glenda Riley, donated funds to set up the annual tournament after Catherine sadly passed away in 2015 after losing her battle with breast cancer.

The tournament was organised by CITY Community Trust, where Catherine worked with her partner Jamie Vittles, head of CCT, following her career as a journalist at The Times in London and more locally at the Express & Echo.

Jamie said: ‘Thanks to Glenda’s generosity we have established this tournament which gives young female footballers the chance to compete, develop their skills, have fun and be physically active. It is something which Catherine would have been very proud to have left as a legacy.’

The plate competition was won by The Maynard School with Exmouth Community College runners up. The cup competition was won by Colyton Grammar A team, the runners up were Queen Elizabeth’s School. The medals were presented by Exeter City FC midfielder Lee Holmes.

Jamie added: ‘We’ve really got to congratulate all the girls who took part. It was a fantastic event, they showed real skill and determination and, importantly, had great fun. It really was an event for us all to be proud of.’

CITY Community Trust is Exeter’s leading health and wellbeing charity and delivers projects aimed at improving lives and helping people become more active. As well as staging the Catherine Fraser Memorial Tournament, CCT runs a number of initiatives to encourage more girls to participate in sport.

CCT will be running a free football taster session for girls aged 5-11 at the new 3G pitch at the Exwick Sports Hub at 6.30pm on Tuesday March, 20. To sign up email donna.langdon@ecfc.co.uk

For more information about the work of the CITY Community Trust visit www.exetercitycommunitytrust.co.uk