On the 17th of June I had the pleasure of taking 8 players to Oceanfest at Croyde to play in a Beach Soccer Tournament.

The matches were 6-aside and played over 12 minute periods. 

Our squad was a mixture of year 4s and 5s, which turned out to be the youngest squad there as it was a year 6 entry tournament.

We played fantastically well in a sport that is very different to conventional football, the ground is a lot harder to move in, the ball is heavier and the pitches are smaller. Shots can be taken from kick offs and throw ins were replaced by kick ins. Our keeper George Stephens was kept very busy due to this and made some outstanding saves.

We narrowly lost our first game 1-0, but played incredibly well for a first ever match, the remainder of our group stage games we won comfortably showing some excellent skills along the way.

Unfortunately we were knocked out of the tournament in the semi finals, in a narrow 1-0 defeat, by the eventual tournament winners.

As I said our squad was very young, but the experience gained by the players will be vital for next year when the same event will take place, I believe we are more than capable of doing better next year and getting our hands on that trophy. 

The event was ran by Exeter City and Beach Soccer England, two of the England players were on sight watching the games, at the end of the tournament they each selected two players who stood out to them for how they played their game, I am immensely proud to say our very own Isabel Arnot was one of the players they selected, she was awarded a special medal and an England shirt for her efforts. 

Very well done to Isabel and great work to all of the team!