The inaugural Bedford Community League concluded with a strong United Abilities side defeating a gallant One Culture team in Sunday’s grand final at VALO Football Centre.
Watched by an impressive crowd despite the drizzly conditions, grand final day began with Bedford Bandits playing a combined South-East / CP FC (Cerebral Palsy) team in a curtain-raiser.
General Manager of Football Development at FFSA, Paul Marcuccitti, is excited about the competition's future.
The first Bedford Community League exceeded our expectations and, given the interest in it, we expect the number of teams and players to grow.
We've been pleased with the response from participants who have told us how much they have enjoyed the competition and we hope this will inspire them to continue playing the game and encourage others to join them.
The big match saw the well-drilled United Abilities maintain their 100% record in the competition with an entertaining display of attacking football. Adelaide United forward George Blackwood, and Bedford Group CEO, Maggie Dowling, were on hand to present both sides with their medals – including the Player of The Match award for Jordy Henderson-Ross – before United Abilities captain Michael Vardaro lifted the trophy for his team.
The grand final was the culmination of the Sunday afternoon competition which began in May with four teams and which saw more than 50 players participating in 7-a-side games at FFSA’s premier football venue. We look forward to a bigger and better season next year.
Football Federation SA thanks all coaches and volunteers who helped make this league a success.