Dear Parents/Guardians,
Salaamun Alaikum
We are delighted to share the remarkable achievements of our SJFC teams at the annual MAMT Youth Football Tournament.
The tournament took place on Saturday, 5th October 2024, at Powerleague Milton Keynes, hosting a total of 85 team entries and 680 players from across the UK. SJFC had 172 players participating across 26 of our own teams, making the tournament a significant event for the club. It was a memorable day of football, where our players showcased their technical ability, tactical awareness, and collective spirit, making the entire club immensely proud.
Players and families arrived nice and early at the venue, eyes still only half open but buzzing with excitement for the day ahead. The day kicked off at 08:00 with a continental buffet breakfast (croissants, bananas, and chai), preparing the teams for a full day of intense competition. By 08:30, the group-stage games were already underway, with each team showing their competitive edge and desire to win, battling it out in their respective groups throughout the morning. Thanks to a very efficient schedule, only a few group-stage matches remained after the Namaaz break.
Following a well-earned lunch, the tournament progressed into the knockout stages, where the intensity ramped up and our teams faced some tightly contested games against fierce rivals! The display of skill across all positions was evident. Our attackers created and finished chances with precision, while the midfielders controlled the tempo with line-breaking passes and tireless energy. The defenders put in crucial tackles and blocks, ensuring our goal remained protected, while the goalkeepers made heroic saves to keep us in contention. Most importantly, the brotherhood and support shown by the boys—lifting their teammates after every challenge—was a key factor in our success!
Many matches went down to the wire, with some being decided by nail-biting penalty shootouts. In these high-pressure moments, our players displayed remarkable composure, converting crucial penalties and showing nerves of steel, while our goalkeepers made vital saves to ensure victory and secure progression to the Quarters, Semis, and Finals.
By the end of the tournament, across the seven age categories, SJFC Black teams dominated, reaching six finals and proudly securing four winner’s trophies!
We celebrated victories in the following school year age categories:
Reception/Year 1
Year 6/7
Year 8/9
Year 12/13
The SJFC Black teams in Year 2/3 and Year 4/5 narrowly missed out on their titles but showed incredible spirit and resilience throughout the competition. Overall, our teams netted 369 goals, a testament to their attacking creativity and teamwork. Every player played a crucial role in this success, making it a day to remember for SJFC.
These phenomenal results highlight not only the depth within our ranks but also the dedication, hard work, leadership, and positive encouragement from our Lead, Assistant, and Volunteer coaches. SJFC would like to take this opportunity to thank ALL the coaches, without whom this club would remain just a dream.
We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to COEJ and Milton Keynes Jamaat for their exceptional organisation and for hosting such a prestigious event. Their efforts ensured a well-structured and smoothly run tournament, and we are grateful to have been part of it.
A special thanks to the parents for your unwavering support, both on and off the pitch. Your encouragement from the touchline and assistance behind the scenes were integral to our success.
This tournament was not just about winning silverware—it was a celebration of the development, passion, and commitment shown by every player. We are incredibly proud of our teams’ performances and look forward to continuing this journey together as we strive for further success.
Lastly, if you have any feedback regarding the organisation of the tournament, COEJ would greatly appreciate your input. Your feedback is important as it helps them improve future events, ensuring an even better experience for everyone. We encourage parents and guardians to provide their constructive feedback for COEJ’s consideration via the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9rXslrEZthzfke4CiFUJ69l85puser2VoNK-CzMghfQb2pg/viewform?pli=1
Jameel Walji
Club Secretary
