To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2017 and showcase the many talents of our county’s amazing Apprentices, Oxfordshire Apprenticeships are holding a 5 a side football tournament in partnership with Ignite Sport and the University of Oxford. The tournament will be take place at the University of Oxford sports centre on the Iffley Road on Monday 6^th March 2017 from 2-6pm. 

Businesses and organisations from across the county have stepped up to the challenge. Taking part in the tournament are teams from MINI Plant Oxford, Ignite Sport, Oxfordshire County Council, Science & Technology Facilities Council, Clarkson Evans, Rutherford Appleton Laboratories (RAL), Laing O’Rouke, 3aaa, Activate, Darke & Taylor, Jacobs Douwe Egberts, SOFEA and the University of Oxford. We've been very impressed by the standard of team names too - with RAL Madrid and Occasionally United (Activate) being particular favourtites!

The winning team will be presented with a stunning trophy (pictured below), kindly donated by the University of Oxford.

In addition to raising awareness of Apprenticeships, the event is also raising money for SeeSaw, an Oxfordshire based charity offering grief support for children and young people. 

Oxfordshire Apprenticeships Manager Sarah Cullimore said: "We are really pleased to be ‘kicking off’ the 10th National Apprenticeship Week with this charity focused event. The employers taking part all employ Apprentices locally and so have experienced the benefits of having Apprentices as part of their workforce in a variety of different roles. Let’s hope they are good footballers too!"

Fundraiser at SeeSaw Jane Elliott said: “Good luck to the teams taking part in the 5-a-side football tournament. Huge thanks to everyone involved for raising funds for SeeSaw to help Oxfordshire’s bereaved children and young people.”

Apprenticeships Manager at the University of Oxford Clive Shepherd said: “‘The University of Oxford are excited to host the National Apprenticeship Week 2017 5-a-side football tournament to highlight the huge range of companies across Oxfordshire that support Apprenticeships. The entries really reflect the vast diversity of job roles and industries in which Apprenticeships are available. We are delighted to support SeeSaw, our chosen charity for the event and the outstanding work they do.”

Follow the action and get involved using the hashtag #NAW5aS.