Hampshire-based telecoms and IT business Onecom have won the Southern Regional Finals of The Big Goal, run by the Street Soccer Foundation and hosted alongside Brentford FC Community Sports Trust at Gunnersbury Park Sports Hub, West London on Friday, April 11th.
In the final, Onecom beat last year’s winners Focus Group with a fine brace from Product Manager Ross Oulton, a former Northampton Town FC apprentice. Onecom were undefeated across the entire tournament scoring 11 goals and only conceding three.
Afterwards CEO Martin Flick commented:
“Seeing the industry come together with Keith Mabbutt from The Street Soccer Foundation, Terry O’Brien from Giacom and Nigel Sergent from Comms Dealer was enough for us because the initiative they have launched is changing the lives of disadvantaged young people across the country. Winning the southern regionals was the icing on the cake and we can’t wait for the finals at St George’s Park in September.”
In scorching heat, the games were played with passion and sportsmanship, reflected by Zenzero, who lifted the Spirt of the Tournament Award after losing to Giacom in a penalty shoot-out in the Plate final.
CEO Michael Bateman was understandably disappointed but was full of praise for the tournament:
“There was good spirit and friendly rivalry from all the teams, and it was great to see so many supporting such a great cause. The Big Goal brings the industry together in a brilliant way but, more importantly, the way that disadvantaged young people engage through the football clubs at the Street Soccer Academies gives them a safe space where they can feel empowered. And hopefully the confidence they gain will translate into work skills they can take through into the tech industry.”
Giacom will now go through to the finals to be staged at St George’s Park – the Home of England Football – alongside Onecom, Focus Group, Sky Business (South) and Comms Dealer FC. All will now compete against qualifiers from the Northern Regionals being hosted by Sheffield Wednesday FC (April 25th) and the Midlands Regionals hosted by Derby County FC (May 9th).
The overall winners of the tournament will go on to represent England in the Corporate World Cup in Morocco in October.
CEO of Giacom, the headline sponsor, Terry O’Brien added:
“This was a fabulous day, and I’d like to thank the Street Soccer Foundation team and Brentford FC for putting together such a well organised and professional tournament. Obviously, we’re delighted to qualify for the finals after a real nail-biter and we now have the chance to go on and represent England in the Corporate World Cup. What an incentive that is for us and all the teams that qualify for the finals.”
All the winners at the Southern Regionals were:
Onecom – Southern Regional Champions
Giacom – Plate Winners
Thomas Ellis, Comms Dealer FC – Golden Boot Award
Lee Alyward, Focus Group – Golden Glove Award
Lewis Croal, Global 4 – Player of the Tournament
Zenzero – Spirit of the Tournament Award
Owain Heal, Zenzero – World’s Smallest Goal Award!
So, they’re done and dusted! The best teams from the regional tournaments of The Big Goal staged in the South, Midlands and the North, can now look forward to the National Finals of The Big Goal at St George’s Park on June 11th
They’re on the march again! Elite Group, last year’s national winners of The Big Goal, are back in the groove and gunning for their second title in a row after winning the Northern Regional
These Terms & Conditions apply to all ticket holders, table hosts, sponsors and attendees (“Guests”) of The Big Goal Gala (the “Event”), organised and delivered by the Street Soccer Foundation (“the Organiser”, “we”, “us”, “our”), a registered charity in England and Wales.
By purchasing a ticket, reserving a table, or entering into a sponsorship agreement for the Event, you agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions.
1. Event Details
The Organiser reserves the right to amend the Event date, venue, format, content, speakers, entertainment or programme where reasonably necessary.
While every effort will be made to deliver the Event as advertised, the Organiser does not guarantee the appearance of any particular guest speaker, performer or personality.
2. Bookings & Payment
2.1 Tickets & Tables
All ticket and table bookings must be paid in full by the stated payment deadline unless otherwise agreed in writing.
A booking is confirmed only once payment has been received or a written agreement has been signed.
2.2 Sponsorship Packages
Sponsorship agreements must be confirmed in writing.
Payment schedules (if staged payments are agreed) will be clearly set out in the sponsorship agreement.
All sponsorship fees must be paid by the agreed dates.
Failure to meet payment deadlines may result in cancellation of the booking or sponsorship benefits at the Organiser’s discretion.
3. Cancellations & Refunds
3.1 Guest or Sponsor Cancellation
All cancellations must be made in writing.
Cancellations received more than 60 days prior to the Event may be eligible for a partial refund (less reasonable administrative costs), at the Organiser’s discretion.
Cancellations within 60 days of the Event are non-refundable.
Tickets and tables may be transferred to another named guest with prior written notice to the Organiser.
Sponsorship fees are non-refundable once marketing, promotional or production benefits have commenced.
As this is a fundraising event in support of the Street Soccer Foundation’s charitable work, many costs are committed in advance and refunds cannot generally be provided.
4. Event Changes, Postponement or Force Majeure
The Organiser reserves the right to postpone, relocate or reasonably alter the format of the Event due to circumstances beyond its control, including but not limited to:
Acts of God
Government restrictions
National mourning
Public health emergencies
Venue unavailability
Security risks
Industrial disputes
Insufficient participation
If the Event is postponed, tickets and sponsorships will be transferred to the rescheduled date.
If the Event is cancelled and cannot be rescheduled, the Organiser will determine an appropriate refund policy, taking into account costs already incurred in good faith.
The Organiser shall not be liable for any consequential losses, including travel or accommodation costs.
5. Sponsorship Benefits & Branding
Sponsors grant the Organiser a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use their company name and logo for the purposes of promoting and delivering the Event.
The Organiser will use reasonable endeavours to deliver the agreed sponsorship benefits but reserves the right to make minor changes where operationally necessary.
Sponsors may not:
Sub-license or resell their sponsorship package
Share branding benefits without prior written consent
Promote unrelated events or causes during the Event without approval
All branding materials must comply with UK law and must not be offensive, discriminatory or inappropriate.
6. Guest Conduct
The Big Goal Gala is a professional fundraising event aligned with the values of the Street Soccer Foundation.
The Organiser reserves the right to refuse entry or remove any Guest who:
Engages in abusive, threatening, discriminatory or inappropriate behaviour
Is intoxicated to the point of causing disruption
Acts unlawfully or unsafely
No refund will be provided in such circumstances.
7. Health & Safety
Guests must comply with:
Venue health & safety requirements
Fire and evacuation procedures
Any instructions issued by Event staff
The Organiser reserves the right to implement additional health or security measures where required.
8. Liability
Nothing in these Terms excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence or for fraud.
Subject to the above:
The Organiser shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental or consequential loss.
The Organiser’s total aggregate liability shall not exceed the amount paid by the Guest or Sponsor for the Event.
Guests attend at their own risk and are responsible for personal belongings.
9. Insurance (Sponsors)
Sponsors are responsible for ensuring they hold appropriate public liability and other relevant insurance for any materials, branding installations or promotional activity they bring to the Event.
The Organiser may request proof of insurance where applicable.
10. Photography & Filming
The Event may be photographed and filmed for promotional and marketing purposes.
By attending, Guests consent to:
Being photographed, filmed or recorded
The use of such materials by the Organiser for promotional, marketing and fundraising purposes across digital, print and broadcast media
If a Guest does not wish to appear in media coverage, they must notify the Organiser in writing prior to the Event.
11. Data Protection
Personal data will be processed in accordance with UK data protection legislation and the Street Soccer Foundation’s Privacy Policy.
Information provided may be used for:
Event administration
Fundraising communications
Charity impact reporting
Guests may opt out of communications at any time.
12. Fundraising Activities on the Night
The Gala may include fundraising activities such as:
Live or silent auctions
Prize draws or raffles
Donation pledges
All bids and pledges made during the Event are legally binding commitments to donate and must be settled before departure or within the timeframe specified by the Organiser.
13. Force Majeure
The Organiser shall not be deemed in breach of these Terms if it is prevented from performing its obligations due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control.
14. Governing Law
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
Any disputes arising shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
15. Entire Agreement
These Terms & Conditions, together with any written booking confirmation or sponsorship agreement, constitute the entire agreement between the parties relating to the Event.
