2 weeks Ago
Bradford (Park Avenue) played host to a landmark football tournament on Good Friday at Horsfall Stadium. The city welcomed the 3v3 UK National Qualifier, a high energy competition that brought together some of the region’s most promising young players. The event was delivered in partnership with GWL UNITED CIC, Yorkshire’s leading advocate for female centric sport.
The event began with a girls-only competition in the morning, giving local female players a platform to compete, enjoy, and thrive. This was followed by a boys tournament in the afternoon, with winners from each age group going on to St George's Park, home to all 23 of England’s national football teams, to compete in the country-wide finals. Hosted by The Bradford Park Avenue Sports Foundation (BPASF), the tournament marked the beginning of a wider collaboration between GWL UNITED, AllPlay, the charitable arm of 3v3 UK, and BPASF, as they work together to grow small-sided football for all.
This was how the 3v3 set up looked at Horsfall on Good Friday. (Image: UGC) “3v3 football offers an incredibly powerful format for engagement,” said John Caven, director of GWL UNITED. ““It gives girls and participants with disabilities more touches, more confidence, and more chances to express themselves.
That’s the kind of football future we believe in.” With the Football Association’s upcoming shift toward 3v3 formats for younger age groups, BPASF hopes to position Horsfall Stadium as a national leader in inclusive delivery, using inflatable AirPitch technology to create safe, flexible playing spaces for all. “Using AirPitches as a tool for inclusive practice is something the Foundation is committed to exploring,” said Mat Everett, community director at Bradford Park Avenue.
“This event was just the start of what we hope will be a long-term commitment to providing football for everyone in our community.”.
