Firmballs 2023 Charity Football Tournament
After an excellent Premier League season, Brighton and Hove’s Amex stadium roared back into life as 160 players from 16 local companies took part in the highly anticipated Firmballs 2023 charity football tournament on Thursday 25 June.
The event, organised in aid of two Sussex children’s charities, the Rockinghorse and Starr Trust, raised awareness and funds for children in need while providing an exhilarating and unforgettable sporting experience for all participants involved.
Among the teams to take part were the talented players from the Jonathan Lea Network, including Callum, Johannes and Liam who were guided to group stage success by their manager, Jonathan ‘De Zerbi’ Lea. The team finished top of their group, winning all three of their matches without conceding a goal, before eventually being defeated in the quarter final due to questionable refereeing decisions.
“Representing the Jonathan Lea Network in the Firmballs tournament was a brilliant experience and I’m very much looking forward to next year’s event”, said Johannes, one of the team’s players. Jonathan added “Thanks to a few additions from Callum’s Hove FC team, and also former professional cricketer Will Beer from our friends at Servo Private Wealth, we played some really nice football. It was great to take part and experience playing in the stadium on a sunny day, although next year we will come back stronger and aim to win the Firmballs trophy.”
Both the Rockinghorse and Starr Trust charities are renowned for their commitment to supporting the wellbeing of disadvantaged children, providing them with opportunities to thrive. Representatives from both charities expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the players, volunteers and sponsors who had contributed both their time and money to make this thoroughly memorable event possible.
