Students from the National Diploma in Football at Hartpury College have raised over £400 for the charity CRY – Cardiac Risk In the Young.
Throughout the month of May, as part of an ‘Organising Events’ module within their National Diploma, students from the second year of the course have planned and overseen several sporting events including Dodgeball, Futsal and a FIFA Tournament.
Undoubtedly the two most successful events were an entertaining 1st year vs 2nd year cricket match and a tutor group triangular football tournament – both in terms of being enjoyable for the crowds and also the amount of money raised.
Just under a year ago the college as a whole – but in particular the National Diploma in Football staff and students – were devastated by the tragic death of 17 year old student Dan Matthews. Dan was an incredibly well-liked classmate and talented footballer but first and foremost a great friend to all who knew him.
The cause of Dan’s death was due to cardiac failure – according to CRY ‘every week in the UK at least 12 apparently fit and healthy young people die of undiagnosed heart conditions.’ It was a unanimous decision from the students to aim to raise money for this charity in memory of Dan.
The cricket match between the first and second year football students took place on the rubber crumb on a glorious afternoon and after restricting the second years to 99 all out the first years looked on course for a comfortable win, before a batting collapse handed the win to the more experienced second year squad. Scott Carbin top scored with 27 and collected the man of the match award.
The triangular football tournament was a competitive affair as predicted and couldn’t have been closer after the group stage as all three tutor groups had 3 points from two games. Unfortunately for NDSF2B – the pre-tournament favourites – they missed out on making the final through goal difference. NDSF2A beat NDSF1B 1-0 in a well contested final thanks to a goal from veteran Brett Gardner and some desperate defending in a game that the first years arguably dominated.
NDSF student Martin Pates was involved in organising the football tournament but also raised extra money by himself though selling CRY wristbands and also running the Tewksbury half marathon at the start of May.
NDSF Tutor Shaun Gluyas said, “All the students involved, either through organising or participating, have been a credit to Hartpury and generous with their donations, raising money through a variety of methods. Special mention must go to Martin Pates for the extra fundraising he completed. As a football department we are very proud of the way our students have raised money for an important charity and cause that affected us so deeply last June. Hopefully the money raised can raise the awareness of CRY and help those affected in the future.”
