Almost 100 children took part in our funky football rap competition in partnership with local organisation Hawkes Health, Fitness & Coaching and children's author Tom Palmer.
Launched in April by author of the Roy of the Rovers series, Tom Palmer, children living on the North Yorkshire Coast were asked to think about why they love playing or watching football, or to reflect on their favourite players and teams. Taking inspiration from the style of limericks, they put those feelings into a funky football rap.
The competition was open to children of primary-school age, and those children attending football sessions by Hawkes Health, Fitness & Coaching were particularly encouraged to participate. The previous month, Robbie Hawkes also gifted over 500 copies of Roy of the Rovers, provided by Our Stories, to children participating in the sessions.
Entries were judged by the team at Our Stories and Robbie Hawkes of Hawkes Health, Fitness & Coaching.
Rosie Barrett, Our Stories Manager said: “We have seen some really creative entries and the standard was extremely high from boys and girls across the region. It was great to see them having fun sharing their favourite players and teams, and recognising the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship – which is also testament to Hawkes Health!”
Robbie Hawkes, Owner of Hawkes Health, Fitness & Coaching said: “I’ve absolutely loved reading everyone’s entries to this competition and am delighted that we have been able to support Our Stories’ campaign to promote the importance of reading and writing. Initiatives like this are now more important than ever and it was a privilege to be involved.”
The top three winners of the competition are Alice, Alfie and Archie.
The winners
First Place: By Alice
Some people say girls can’t play football,
But Beth and I just disagreed.
Some people say girls are too weak to tackle,
But Alex and I just think that is prattle.
All of us girls, are here to prove you’re wrong!
So blow the whistle and get ready to play along.
Second Place: By Alfie
Bruno Fernandez is so great,
He won the championship with a clean slate,
He hits the back of the net
Even when it’s wet,
Fernandez no-one can hate!
Third Place: By Archie
I go to Robbie Hawkes to learn the Silky Skills.
I’ll turn up my lambo when footie pays the bills
I’ll get so good I’ll be on Fifa
And when 1v1 I’m guaranteed to beat ya
You’ll see me at Old Trafford scoring more pens than Bruno
Give me a couple more years, then I’ll be at my prime ya know!
Winner Alice will receive the top prize of six football sessions with Hawkes Health Fitness & Coaching, plus a football and copy of a Roy of the Rovers book by Tom Palmer. Alfie wins football coaching sessions and a book, and Archie will also receive a book and a £20 voucher to spend at Hawkes Heath. We've also got prizes for fourth and fifth place and the next 10 runners up. Well done to everyone who took part, we loved reading all of your poems!
We'll be posting videos of the winners over on our Facebook page!