The team representing Coventry in this year's International Children's Games will be at Monday's fixture against Cardiff City, raising money for their trip of a lifetime.
Guests at Easter Monday’s match include 16 young Coventry athletes who will be competing in Girls Football and Track & Field at the International Children’s Games (ICG) this Summer.
‘Team Coventry’ will be flying the flag for the country as the only British team at the Games - which is recognised and approved by the International Olympic Committee.
The Games are scheduled to take place in the city of León, in the heart of Mexico, between 15-20 July 2024.
You may see them around the stadium on Monday as they raise money for their ‘trip of a lifetime’! Please give generously and wish them well on their journey!
For the first time in Team Coventry’s history, a 6-a-side Girls Football team will travel to the Games - and Sky Blues in the Community are leading on the management of the squad. The team are also incredibly lucky that they will be wearing this season’s CCFC home kit in Mexico – kindly donated by the Football Club.
The final squad of 8 players who were lucky enough to be selected came after trial events earlier in the year - where over 40 girls all took part wanting to represent their city on the international stage.
With the final group of players representing a range of local clubs including Coventry Sphinx, Coundon Court FC and Coventry City Girls - the team shows a great variety of players from across the city.
Marianne Botterill, the Girls Football team coach, expressed her enthusiasm to lead the team: “This is such an amazing opportunity for the female footballers of Coventry, and I am delighted that I have been given the chance to take them to Mexico, to coach them and hopefully aid them in bringing that gold medal back to Coventry.
“I regularly work on our Girls Football programme here at Sky Blues in the Community, but I was absolutely blown away by the talent that all the girls displayed during the 2-day trial process. The standard was incredibly high, and I am so grateful to all the girls that tried out.”
The other half of Team Coventry is the 8 Track & Field athletes who all train and represent local club Coventry Godiva Harriers. Like the Football team, the club hosted a trial event with athletes competing for a place on the plane to Mexico – with over 25 young Coventrians taking part. The 8 that qualified and have secured their place will compete in a variety of Track & Field events including 100m, high jump, relays and shotput.
Dr Brian Darby and Amanda Deavy, this year’s Team Coventry Track & Field coaches said: “We’re delighted to be able to take 8 Godiva athletes to represent Coventry at the ICG. We volunteer our time at the Harriers so already work closely with several of the young people. It’s not just an incredible opportunity to compete on the international sporting stage, but also a chance to make new friends and gain new experiences!”
Danny Kingham, Team Coventry’s Manager since 2022 is looking forward to the Games: “We cannot wait to take the children to Mexico to represent our city. We’re delighted to be working with Sky Blues in the Community and Coventry Godiva Harriers who have supported the selection process and continue to put on training sessions so that the children will be well prepared! We’d also like to thank CCFC for allowing us to attend the game and raise funds to make the trip possible. #PUSB.”
Team Coventry have featured at every International Children’s Games since 1997 – and even hosted the Games in 2005 and 2022. Previous teams have included children who have gone onto elite level sport careers and provide a great insight into what it’s like to compete at the top level. Coventry City Council support and endorses the team annually.
Dec Connolly, Sports Programme Officer at Coventry City Council said: “Coventry City Council are proud to continue to support Team Coventry at the ICG. We’ve entered for the past 27 years - and we’ve seen the positive impact that it has on the young people that are selected. We’re grateful to this year's city partners Sky Blues in the Community, Coventry City Football Club and Coventry Godiva Harriers to co-deliver this incredibly rewarding event.”
How you can get involved and support Team Coventry
Fundraising Event:
Team Coventry is hosting a Race Night and Raffle event at the Sky Blue Tavern in May – and tickets are now available. Please join them on Saturday 11th May from 7:30pm for this family friendly event.
All funds raised will help support our Team Coventry 2024 Athletes in Mexico. To secure your tickets, please email TeamCoventryICG@outlook.com or scan the QR code.
Donate and send a ‘good luck’ message:
If you’d like to donate and send Team Coventry a good luck message, you can do so on their online fundraising page – scan the QR code and wish them well!
Sponsorship & Partnership opportunities:
There are still a variety of ways to support the team and become a partner - including everything from kit sponsorship and brand promotion to bespoke digital features and awards night sponsorship with packages starting from just £250.
Partners that have pledged their support so far this year include the likes of On1 Solutions, Keepmoat Homes, Hill Group UK, Hammons Solicitors and Deeley Group.
For more information about sponsorships – please email declan.connolly@coventry.gov.uk.
Follow their journey!
❖ Instagram: @TeamCoventryICG
❖ Facebook: @TeamCoventryICG
