Football competition with a difference

FACE OFF: Riley Thompson (on the ball) is defended by his brother Jayden. .PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Amid the recent hype of Fifa Under-20 football fever, several rural Northland schools have looked to embrace their own tournament of sorts.

Children kicked, dashed and tackled their way through a day of football at the Mangakahia Sports Grounds recently.

Five rural primary schools - Pakotai, Tangiteroria, Purua, Poroti and Kokopu - devised the tournament with the aim of having a day of friendly football with a difference.

"We have great opportunities to compete against other Whangarei schools in our local sports' association. This was a different event - focused on pupils in smaller, rural schools," Kokopu School principal Mark Ashcroft said.

"By creating mixed teams, the children had a lot of fun and got to know each other really well. It was a competition with a difference."

Parents and teachers helped to referee 16 teams, who played up to 10 matches each.

The pupils challenged the referees to a game and, despite stiff competition (and one or two pulled muscles), the adults won 1-nil.