The UK’s largest bus and rail operator, FirstGroup, has announced its support of the Denis Law Youth Soccer Tournament, which starts today (17 July) in Aberdeen.
The transport giant is to provide several of the teams with transport during their stay in the city, including South African team Old Benonians, Norwegians Stavanger and Derby County.
FirstGroup is no stranger to providing transport for football stars. A state of the art FirstGroup coach provides match day transport for Aberdeen FC players - it features several television, DVD, tables, kitchen facilities, leather seating and wi-fi. Derby County youngsters were impressed with the on-board features when they were collected from the airport today.
Derby County Under 16 Coach Kevin Nicholson said: “The coach is fantastic and the facilities at the Sports Village look equally impressive. We are looking forward to a great week in Aberdeen and hope that our youngsters can live up to former Dons, Russell Anderson and Chris Maguire, both of whom are now at Derby County.”
Event organiser Fiona Caldwell said: “Having FirstGroup come on board as our transport provider is wonderful news – we are very grateful to the company for donating coaches complete with drivers. The local business community, including Rotech, Flexilife, FirstGroup and the University of Aberdeen, have really rallied round the event – without that crucial support we would not be able to stage the tournament.”
FirstGroup’s Marketing Manager Avril Gill said: “We are delighted to be able to play a small part in what promises to be a first class event. Our coaches, which are available for private hire, are of a high standard, particularly the team coach which has as good facilities as any in the country.”
FirstGroup’s support of the Denis Law Soccer Tournament follows its donation of £100k, announced in January 2011, for the proposed aquatic centre at the Aberdeen Sports Village.
The Dennis Law Soccer Tournament kicks off on Monday 18th July at 2pm with local team Albion Boys Club facing South African team Old Benonians FC at King’s Playing Fields. The tournament is also committed to involving the local community with activities such as Streetsport, 4v4’s and a corporate 6’s competition. The Finals day on Friday 22nd July will have a host of fun activities including giant inflatables, football freestyle workshops, BBQ, face painter and loads more.
More information on the event and full fixtures/schedule of activities is available at www.aberdeensportsvillage.com