JEDDAH, 2 March 2008 — The British International School of Jeddah (BISJ) declared the combined soccer festival and Spring Fair held last Thursday a complete success. The event, which included a Spring Fair for the first time attracted not just the soccer teams from eleven schools in Jeddah but a significant phalanx of supporters, parents and casual visitors.
“It certainly worked,” commented Bruce Gamwell, the school’s director. “There are many more attending as a result of the combined events. It is extremely encouraging to see such a mix of nationalities and cultures socializing and competing in a spirit of friendship.” The football festival has become a landmark event in the Jeddah schools’ calendar. Every spring the BISJ hosts the Festival of Football. Central to the spirit of the day’s competition is the “Fair Play” flag awarded to the school by FIFA. This year 11 schools — some fielding just one player — competed with huge enthusiasm for the title of champion.
“The competition is open to players aged between 9-11 years old and of any level of ability,” explained Karen Moore, the festival organizer. Schools and abilities were mixed into 32 teams and the teams divided into pools of four. “We give the teams the names of famous league clubs and organize it along the lines of the UEFA championships,” she said. “Pool games completed, there is a knockout stage and an overall winner.” Mixing the players in the teams obliged children of different abilities, character and cultures to work together as a team — a real life-lesson and one that was convincingly taught by a team sport, thought Moore.
Using the vehicle of football, the day is about far more than simply a kicking a ball about. The tournament motto of “fun, fitness and friendship through football” encapsulates the ethos of the day. “These children, no matter what their shape, size, religion, colour or mother-tongue just care about the football and the moment at hand,” said Tim Belfield, one of the day’s organizers. “They are in the tournament, they are having fun, they are keeping fit and they are making friends.”
Those who were less inclined to the physicality of the game could compete in a football quiz or traditional sideshows that tested their football skills. Games boasting splendid cognomens: Keepie Uppie and Hook the Footballer attracted many competitors.
A less obvious but equally vital aspect of the day was the immense contribution made by parents and the children themselves. Teachers, parent volunteers and IB students ran the crafts fair and many of the stalls at the spring fair. “This gave the students a chance to be involved in raising money to improve our Middle School playground facilities to offer the students a more fun-filled and challenging environment at break times — or to be used as part of lessons depending upon the equipment purchased,” said Deborah Cave, the Spring Fair organizer. Prizes for the competitions and shows were donated by children and parents as well as purchased by the school. “The obvious success of the day is a tribute to the tremendous efforts and enthusiasm that went to making it happen,” said Gamwell reflecting on the day. “It’s about far more than just the football — it got a wide section of the Jeddah community working, playing and above all enjoying themselves together.”
