YOUNGSTERS from Warrington’s Leaving Care football team have narrowly missed out on their fourth cup title.
The team of 14-21 year olds were runners-up in the final match with Wigan at the annual North West Children’s After Care Forum tournament, after being beaten on penalties.
The Warrington team, RISE FC, hosted the event at Victoria Park and played against other teams Halton, Bolton, Blackburn, Knowsley, Tameside, Salford, St Helens, Oldham and Wigan.
The council’s Children in Care teams support young people who are leaving care through to independence. The Warrington team has gone from strength to strength over the past seven years and are the only team in the tournament to have won the cup more than once.
The Mayor of Warrington, Cllr Steve Wright, kicked off the event and presented the trophies.
Cllr Colin Froggatt, the borough council’s executive member for children and young people’s services, said: “Congratulations to the RISE team on their great efforts – they should be very proud of themselves.
“Being part of a team provides some of our most vulnerable young people with a sense of belonging and it’s enabled them to experience great achievement, whatever the result.”
Pictured: The RISE team with the Mayor.
