LoveFootball @ the Olmpic Park

Day 2 of our Easter holiday and I had both Joshua's U8 Tigers and Brandon U7 Tiger's teams football teams entered in to the Lovefootball tournament at the Olympic Park. This was to be our first tournament of 2016 and was so excited to have both teams playing and at such a prestigious venue as well. Unfortunately the billing did not live up to the event and this was probably the worst tournament I have ever entered. The organisation was non existent, the pitches were about half the size of a normal 5-a-side, the rules were not normal mini soccer rules and changed from game to game, the referee's were diabolical and inconsistent from one game to the next and as if that wasn't enough, the weather turned out to be pretty lousy.

 

I felt so bad for all the kids and parents who had gone all that way for a football tournament. The U7's slumped to 4 defeats, 2 very close games that they could have won and then two very one sided thrashing. We knew some of the games would be tough as the venue location meant the event would draw in some tough London based teams from the Echo League. Joshua's team had slightly better results with 2 wins and 2 losses. Overall I came away really dejected from this event and struggling to find any positives for the kids. I only hope they all had a bit of fun throughout the day and are proud of their medals., I will certainly be writing a letter of complaint.!!!!

 

We arrive at the Olympic Park and my little champions find the podium in front of the Orbit tower.

Joshua and Brandon doing their best "Footballers pose" in front of the Orbit.

Full squad for the U7's : Lewis, Ashton, Connar, Joshua, Brandon, Charlie, Kye and Freddie.

The team silly picture.

A proud coach with a much improved U7 team. In for a tough day at the office!!!

The remaining U8's team with their participation medals. Missing 3 players that left early. L-R : Ethan, Ryan, Daniel, Max, Dexter and Joshua.

Then the U8's silly team picture.

 

The U7's with their medals. Lets hope for better tournaments in the summertime!

 

 

 

 

Once the tournament was out of the way we decided to make the most of our time in the Olympic Park and go to the top of the Orbit Tower. Me and Joshua did this last year, but Tina, Brandon and Holly had not been up there. We got a good view of London but even this was a bit of a letdown as one floor was shut off and the stairs come down were closed as they are installing the worlds largest slide coming down the Orbit. The new slide looks absolutely awesome and could well be worth a visit in June once the Orbit fully opens with its new feature.

 

The view from the top of the Orbit looking down on the Olympic Stadium (soon to be West Ham's new stadium).

Me Holly and Joshua playing around in the crazy mirror at the top of the Orbit.

How awesome is it going to be having a meandering tunnel slide going down there?

Holly, Joshua and Brandon at the top of the Orbit.

After the Orbit we headed over to the kids play area just outside the stadium.

Holly having a blast coming down a slide.

Brandon, Holly and Joshua having fun in a giant swing.

Fearless Holly asking Daddy to go higher and higher as Mummy cringes at the side thinking she is going to fall out.