After hundreds of entries from across the country, we have our six Kick N Mix competition finalists, all of whom now face a public vote as they bid to win a new football kit.
Whilst narrowing the finalists down was a thankless task due to the number of brilliant entries there were, these six grassroots clubs each have their own inspiring story to tell, and all of them fully deserve this opportunity to win a Kick N Mix-sponsored kit.
Yet there can only be one lucky winner and which club that is will come down to who wins the public vote - which you can take part in using the form below.
Will your vote go to Gedling Southbank U9 Bulldogs, from just outside Nottingham, who, win or lose, are always respectful of their opponents and won their league’s respect award? They’re a sporting group of girls who still understand what it takes to win.
Or perhaps you’ll cast your vote for South Cave from near Hull, who pulled together in dramatic circumstances after their coach had a stroke, with the team showing remarkable maturity in the face of adversity.
Another determined group of players are the newly-formed Sidney Park under-12s from Cleethorpes, whose coach, Callum, has made it his mission to help kids succeed in life and achieve their potential after previously being diagnosed with a brain tumour at an early age and being told his whole life that he wouldn’t accomplish much. Callum’s now keen to make sure kids who have been told the same go on and achieve in life.
Also nominated are LFAK under-15s, a team built on the foundations of the brilliant Hull-based Life for A Kid charity. Made up of players with extra needs, the club recently helped raise £30,000 to help a child with an epilepsy treatment trial, and a new kit would help the charity continue their great work.
Cardiff-based charity Boomerang are also nominated, having been approached by a coach and his team three years ago, asking to play under their name. The charity were delighted to be asked, so Boomerang Rovers was born. With the players now at under-15s level, football is a vital way of keeping boys active and off the streets in a deprived area.
Another inspirational team to be nominated are Nottinghamshire’s Sherwood Colliery Juniors - an ability counts team, full of kids who do not let their disabilities get the better of them. Playing football enables their personalities to fully blossom as they get away from their day-to-day struggles and form bonds for life with their teammates.
The final team you can vote for is County Armagh’s Afrimeripean under-15s, made up of boys from 15 different countries, all of whom personify the club’s ‘Unity in Diversity’ motto. The side have broken down barriers such as race and language, having all ended up in Northern Ireland for a variety of reasons. Each of them have shown commitment to sport through a number of different ways, such as inspiring others or catching busses to training.
Vote for your choice above.
