FURD
FURD hosted a charity football tournament for women at the U-Mix Centre on Saturday 10th June in honour of a tour of the UK by Diyar women's football team from Bethlehem.
The 5-a-side tournament was organised jointly with AFC Unity from Sheffield and Republica Internationale from Leeds, and our teams were joined by Mexborough Athletic and Nunny's Funky Boots. There was some great football on display from all the teams with Mexborough being the winners. Instead of a conventional final, the tournament ended with a 9-a-side match between Diyar and representatives of all the other teams.
Players and supporters were then treated to a delicious Palestinian meal cooked by Musheir Al-farra. Money raised was donated to children's charities in Palestine and to FURD.The Diyar players also got involved in another local fundraiser, helping to open the 'Small Park,BIG RUN' 24 hour sponsored run organised by Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign taking place in nearby Meersbrook Park at the weekend. They returned on Sunday to take part in a penalty shoot-out in the park at the end of the run.
Members of FURD's Belonging group for refugees and asylum-seekers also took part in 'Small Park, BIG RUN'.
The Diyar team has both Muslim and Christian players. There has been a big increase in the number of women and girls playing football in Palestine in the last few years.
To learn more about the team and women's football and lives in the West Bank, borrow the DVD 'Balls, Barriers and Bulldozers' from the FURD library.
Diyar also played in Liverpool, Leeds, London, Bristol and Bath on their UK tour.
Check the links below and FURD's Twitter and Facebook feeds for photos and more information.