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Last Updated: Monday, 4 June 2007, 12:09 GMT 13:09 UK
Double celebration for Active Life

Active Life are presented with their winners' trophies from Iffy Onuora
Former Swindon manger Iffy Onuora handed out the winners' medals

A project working with mental health service users in Bristol was celebrating a double success as two of its teams made it through to Your Game national final in July.

Bristol Active Life claimed the women's final with a hard-fought victory over Paignton Panthers while their male equivalents walked away with the men's Fair Play trophy.

The project uses football and other physical activities to engage and improve the well-being of young people with mental health needs.

Hundreds of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds from all over the south west of England descended on the City Academy when the UK's biggest ever street football arrived in Bristol.

Active Life ladies had captain Sophie Morgan to thank when she finished a slick passing move to give Active Life a narrow 1-0 victory over Paignton Ladies in the final.

The Panthers fought valiantly, overcoming injuries and a limited playing squad to keep Active Life, the form team in the field, at bay.

Captain and goalkeeper Kate Wilson was their inspiration, producing a string of outstanding saves to deny the Active strikers.

L-Double giving a DJ masterclass
1Xtra DJ L-Double (right) guides a young man through the basics of the decks

But despite her heroics between the posts Wilson could do nothing to prevent Morgan from scoring the decisive goal.

In the men's competition The Underdogs proved to be anything but as they ran out 4-0 winners over Remix.

The win was set up by two inspirational goals from Tuane Plummer - a phenomenal dribble that mesmerised the Remix defence was the highlight of the final.

"We did our taking on the pitch - we were here to win," said victorious Underdogs coach Jake Manning.

"The whole day was a great experience, very positive and well-organised."

It was a double celebration for Manning, who also picked up the Radio Five Live Best Commentator award from BBC commentator Nigel Adderley.

Both winners will be joined in the national final by Dekbahl FC who won the women's Fair Play award, while Bristol Active Life claimed the men's slot.

In recognition of their outstanding work in ensuring the day went smoothly, the Five Live Most Valuable Player award went to local organisers Matt Emery and Derek Scales.

"Today was fantastic. Its a big thing for an event of this stature to come to Bristol," said Emery, the local FA Hattrick officer.

"This will be a great foundation for building links with a wide variety of different groups in the city."

Derek Scales, a local community worker with the Riverside youth project, added: "Today has been absolutely brilliant, especially for teams like Dekbahl Ladies.

"They've never played together before and to have them taking part in an event like this with other communities, that's what Your Game is all about.

A keeper makes a save with his legs
The action was non-stop at the City Academy

"To have something structured like this, it doesn't happen enough. Many of these young people will never have been outside of Bristol before.

"And to get the chance to go to the national final and play against teams from all over the country will be great experience for them."

Alongside the football was music and DJing masterclasses from 1Xtra's DJs L Double and G-Money.

And they may soon have competition from Tristan Ferguson, who won the 1Xtra Best DJ award.

And there was also a graffiti masterclass by local artists Voyder, Threedom and Magic.

The Your Game Bristol winners will join young people from similar backgrounds from all over the country at the Your Game national final in July.

We want to hear about your Your Game experiences, use your own personal web pages or email yourgame@bbc.co.uk and let us know.

Your Game is a partnership between the BBC and the Football Foundation, with support from Barclays Spaces for Sports.



SEE ALSO
Tackling Skills blog
07 Jun 07 |  Your Game
Your Game Bristol in pictures
04 Jun 07 |  Your Game


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