MORE than 1,000 children aged from five to 15 took part in the 10th Rossgarth six-a-side football tournament in Verwood at the weekend.

As parents, supporters and club officials enjoyed the sunshine the boys and girls competed as if a cup final depended on every tackle and every goal.

Martin Johnson and his volunteers, who helped to organise the event praised the tremendous work put in by Alec Guthrie and helpers, the coaches, sponsors and supporters who made the tournament such a success.

He said: “How did it compare with England’s showing in last Friday’s World Cup? A lot better than that.

“We had more excitement and more goals.”

Although Rossgarth is totally amateur, its coaches are all trained to the Football Association Level 1.

Sportsmanship is as important as skill and the club has a strict code of conduct for players and parents. The organisation has given thousands of youngsters the chance to enjoy the game over the years and many have gone on to play for senior sides in the county leagues.

The winners were: Under 9s Burton Bulldogs, Under 10s Boscombe Albion, Under 11s Kingswood, Under 12s Branksome Utd, Under 13s Bournemouth Electric B, Under 14s Branksome A, Under 13s Girls Rossgarth and Under 15s Girls Boscombe Albion.

Main sponsors were BSS Pipeline and Heating Solutions. Star Soccer Supplies supplied all the balls for the tournament, Andrews Butchers of Verwood supplied the barbecue and Specsavers sponsored the referees.

n Typical of the Rossgarth spirit is 11-year-old Charlie Hassell, pictured below, who won last year’s Player of the Season after scoring 26 goals in his first season.

What makes his achievement even more remarkable is that he has had four open heart surgery operations – the last one two years ago, when he had a heart valve replacement.