Young players of a rapidly growing sport are lacing up their boots for our hospices.

Along with their coach Marc Bray, the Wrexham Futsal Girls are hosting a special memorial tournament at the Plas Madoc leisure centre on Sunday 17th March.

Marc has been coaching the sport for four years now and runs the Wrexham Futsal Girls. They are hosting the tournament in memory of his late friend Phil Long and also another special connection to the hospices.

Marc Bray, 39, a builder from Wrexham coaches three Futsal teams

Marc explained: “My lifelong friend Phil died about four years ago and it was a very tough time.

“We wanted to do something in his memory but also decided to raise money for Hope House Tŷ Gobaith as it’s a charity close to my heart.

“Another good friend, Jav, tragically lost his daughter at a young age and the hospices did a lot of work supporting him and his family at that time.”

Fast growing sport

The Wrexham Futsal Girls group stared two years ago with just six players but has now grown to over 40 members across three age groups.

Futsal is played in teams of five with rules like kick-ins rather than throw-ins and the goalkeeper only allowed four seconds on the ball.

The Wrexham Futsal Girls U-16s show their support

Marc said: “I read up on the sport before getting involved and was keen as it really brings on players.

“My own daughter started a couple of years ago and has now won a scholarship with Connah’s Quay Nomads football team.

“We’re asking for £40 registration per team and are hoping for around 24 teams – we’ve already got 16 signed up and all the money raised will be going to the hospices, so it’s looking like a great day.

“We’ve teams coming from Liverpool, Cheshire and locally too.”

Area fundraiser for Hope House Tŷ Gobaith, Vicky Bradbeer, said: “We are very grateful to Marc and all involved with the tournament for thinking of us.

“All their efforts will help us continue to provide care and respite for seriously ill local children and their families.

“We wish them a great day and every success with the tournament. Good luck guys.”

The U-12s are ready for the tournament and will soon have a new kit

Get involved

The tournament will be held at the Plas Madoc Leisure Centre, Wrexham on Sunday 17th March between 8am and 8pm. There are three age groups of U-12, U-14 and U-16.

To get involved and sign-up, contact Marc Bray on 07538 768 378 or Dan Roach on 07803 330 988.

Donate here