REDLANDS were the big winners as Weymouth FC held their annual six-aside youth tournament.

The competition was for children between the Under-9 and Under-13 age groups, with the day being enjoyed by everyone in attendance.

The tournament winners were:

Under-9 Cup: Redlands Rebels

Under-9 Plate: Redlands Bandits

Under-10 Cup: Redlands Rebels

Under-10 Plate: Redlands Bandits

Under-11 Cup: Redlands Rebels

Under-11 Plate: Blandford United Amberley

Under-12 Cup: AFC Chesil

Under-12 Plate: Gillingham Town Youth

Under-13 Cup: Weymouth Youth

Under-13 Plate: Wincanton Wanderers

Speaking of the event, Weymouth Football Club Chairman, Steve Mills, said: “At the youth tournament we have had hundreds of kids turn up.

“This is the interest that is shown in the club and we have got to try and revive that some more.

“We have only just started kicking off the junior section again and you see how many kids are out there that want to play at this place (the Bob Lucas Stadium).

“They don’t want to play at Redlands, or in a field in the middle of nowhere. They want to play in the stadium and that’s the draw of Weymouth Football Club.”

Sport Against Cancer, a locally-based charity which works to raise awareness of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle embracing sport for all ages would like to thank Weymouth FC Youth for its outstanding efforts in organising and putting on its inaugural football tournament over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Gareth Jones from Sport Against Cancer said: “We sponsored the Under-8 tournament on Saturday and the whole day was absolutely brilliant.

“I popped in over the other days and it was very clear that the whole weekend was an outstanding success.

“The children were obviously thrilled to be playing on the first team pitch inside what is clearly the best non-league stadium in the area. It gave them a real buzz and as a charity which promotes the benefits of sport we were delighted to see how well-behaved, respectful and enthusiastic the players, coaches and parents were.

“It was also great to see the senior section supporting the Youth section, with new Weymouth FC first and reserve team management handing out the medals to all the competitors.

“I would particularly like to thank Alan Pepperell, Lindsay Harverson, and Paul and Michelle Tapper who I know were working at the club all weekend with the other age groups too. It was a great team effort and Weymouth FC Youth should be very proud of itself.”

Sport Against Cancer would like to wish everyone involved with Weymouth FC Youth teams a well-earned holiday for the summer, and every success with their expansion next season.