Guest blog by Niall Gordon, UK Trade & Investment. As panic sets in and the two month football (that’s soccer for our American friends) drought begins, we discover there are plenty of sporting events to keep you going over the next few weeks – many with a British and charitable twist.
On Saturday, 4 June, the British Consulate-General New York will participate in the McGarahan Trophy, a football tournament organised by the British Garden at Hanover Square. The Trophy honours the memory of Frank McGarahan, a former New York based Barclays banker. After 9/11 McGarahan organised football matches between the NYPD and FDNY to benefit the children of the victims.
The Consulate is always delighted to lend its support to the British Garden at Hanover Square, which was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II last July. Money raised for the British Garden at Hanover Square supports its aims of honouring the British victims of the World Trade Center attack and celebrating the historic ties of friendship and unity between the UK and the US.
This is the fifth year of the tournament, which involves several corporate sponsors including previous winners Bloomberg and Barclays Capital taking part alongside newcomers like the Mountbatten Internship Programme. Don’t be fooled by the friendships off the pitch; this is no holds barred stuff as the ‘special relationship’ is tested to the limit! For those interested, the tournament kicks off at 3pm on Saturday at the Field House at Chelsea Piers.
If egg chasing is more of your thing, why not join the five bus loads of students, coaches and teachers travelling from New York to PPL Park in Philadelphia with Play Rugby USA to watch the Collegiate Rugby 7’s Championships. Play Rugby USA is a youth development organisation that builds character, community and commitment in young people in urban areas of America through rugby.
Next up is David Gower’s Sports Quiz on July 13th, another exciting Captain’s Knock event organised by George/ St George’s Society. Former England goalkeeper Ray Clemence and Olympic gold medal winners Denise Lewis and Sir Matthew Pinsent will join former England cricket captain David Gower on a panel of esteemed guests. As July marks one year to the London 2012 Olympics, British Consul-General Sir Alan Collins will open the quiz with a look forward to 2012. For more information and to order tickets click here.
On July 27th, the MLS All Stars take on Manchester United at Red Bull Arena in a rematch of last year’s 5-2 win for the EPL Champions. While the spotlight is on the richest club in the world, a little further upstate, the somewhat lesser known Bedlington Terriers will also be on tour. A more modest concern their US tour is being supported by none other than Lord Bedlington (aka Bob Rich) the owner of Buffalo based Rich Products Corporation. The Terriers, from the lower leagues of northern English football, take on the Erie Admirals and FC Buffalo at the inaugural Lord Bedlington Cup.
In amongst all of this, the Consulate softball team continues to play and after a few heavy defeats, we continue improving. I’ve been told that, like England ever since the ‘66 World Cup, they have had some key players missing…
So, there is no rest for the wicked as the Consulate, much like Rob Green, spreads its charitable wings and gets involved in the local community. By the time all that has taken place, you’ll be back on your sofa ready for the new football season to begin again. Panic over.
*The views of this blog are not those of the British Consulate but represent the personal views of a Scottish member of staff!