Fairtrade Footie in Purbeck

Purbeck Sports Centre is playing host to this year’s Fairtrade Football Tournament.  The event, which takes place on Friday 27 February and Friday 6 March, celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight.

A variety of teams have been invited to take part including Purbeck District Council; Purbeck School; Dorset Youth Service; Dorset Fire and Rescue; the Lifeboat and Sea Rowing Club and Goldy’s Farm.

It is hoped the tournament will draw attention to the importance of trading fairly to support producers in the developing world.  Players are sure to have some fun at these competitive matches and are encouraged to don fancy dress, with a prize for the best dressed team kindly donated by Harry’s Sports Bar.  For the winning football team, the Goldys Fairtrade Trophy will be presented on 6 March.

Matches will take place on the Sports Centre’s Astro Pitch, with kick off at 4.00 pm, ending at 5.30 pm latest.  As well as lots of fun for the players, spectators can purchase Fairtrade refreshments (alcohol, soft drinks, snacks and meals) in the on-site Harry’s Sports Bar.

Spectators are welcome to come and cheer on the teams.  For further information, contact Darren Faulkner at Purbeck Sports Centre on 01929 50 00 00.

As well as the Football Tournament, teams and spectators will be asked to take part in the world’s biggest Fairtrade banana eating record attempt which takes place between midday on Friday 6 March and midday on Saturday 7 March. The bananas have been donated by the Wareham Co-Op Food Store.

During Fairtrade Fortnight other events will be taking place around the District including a breakfast hosted by Harry’s Bar in Wareham on Saturday 28 February with free Fairtrade tea and coffee, and a Fairtrade Coffee Morning at the United Reformed Church, Wareham on Thursdays from 10.00am until 11.45am. Look out for the new 2009 Fairtrade Directory and special promotions in local shops during the Fortnight.

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Contact: 

For queries about the Football tournament, please contact Darren Faulkner 01929 50 00 00 or email him at mailto:darrenfaulkner@purbeck-dc.gov.uk

For queries about Fairtrade please contact Brian Wilkins, Chairman of Wareham Fairtrade Group.  Tel: 01929 459440 Email: brianmegwilkins@cooptel.net

Link: Visit our Fairtrade pages for more information about Fairtrade in Purbeck.

Visit our Sports Centre pages for more information about all the activities available at Purbeck Sports Centre

Fairtrade Fortnight runs from Monday 23 February until Sunday 8 March.   The Purbeck Fairtrade Network co-ordinates the promotion of Fairtrade across Purbeck and has successfully enabled the district to achieve Fairtrade District status and both Swanage and Wareham to achieve Fairtrade Town status. This involves encouraging businesses to sell Fairtrade products in their retail and catering outlets and for businesses or organisations to use Fairtrade products in the work place, school or church.

The awards are given by the Fairtrade Foundation, an independent certification body which awards the FAIRTRADE Mark to products which meet international Fairtrade standards. The purpose of promoting Fairtrade is to challenge people to make small changes, switching to choose Fairtrade products or to purchase across the product range, which will trigger a positive change for communities in developing countries.