Latest News
HSBC Regain Their Crown
HSBC International have regained their Soccer Challenge crown by beating RBC Custody 1-0 in a hotly-contested final at Les Quennevais.
The culmination of two days of spectacular soccer came alongside Monte FC's debut victory in the Plate Challenge, where they beat CPA 3-1 to take the silverware back to England.
Overall, a great weekend - 1,000 players of all ages, maintaining our position of the biggest soccer event in the Channel Islands.
Marco Steals the Show
Marco Pierre White stole the show at our MPW Afternoon held at the Grand Jersey on 12th June. A capacity guest list of almost 190 were blown away by Marco's charm as he spent the best part of the afternoon meeting everyone, sitting at their tables and posing for hundreds of photographs.
In what was the biggest departure from our core sporting events ever, the MPW Lunch was designed to appeal to the less-sporting side of our corporate networks and that certainly manifested itself in the make-up of the guest list, with approximately 90% being female!!
Marco was incredibly hospitable, chatting over pre-lunch drinks on the terrace and during the meal. Following a grilling by the event's MC, Claire Thorn, guests took part in an auction with some incredible "money can't buy" lots, including tables at Marco's Christmas Party, VIP packages to Take That, tickets to the launch party of Freddie Flintoff's Charitable Foundation and other wonderful items. Thousands were raised for good causes, a proportion of which will be shared with Le Tournoi. Marco then continued his tour of the tables, signing books and posing for hundreds of photos with an almost unlimited supply of adoring fans.
One of the guests, Gretel Ohayon said "He was incredible - I am a huge fan but never dreamed for a minute I would meet him face to face like that - he took the time to sit with us and we chatted for some time before he signed our books and posed for photos - this is a day I will remember for a very long time!"
New PR & Communication Partner for Le Tournoi
Orchid Communications are our new PR & Communications partner. Sam Watts, Owner and Director of Orchid is thrilled at the opportunity to get involved and added "we were amazed and inspired by what Le Tournoi has achieved and plans to do in the future and want to help to reach these goals together".
High on the agenda is the facilitation of a strategy for 2010, our tenth anniversary, and to assist in the public relations arena for launching a phenomenal schedule for 2010.
Everton Academy Join the Party
Everton Academy have joined forces with Le Tournoi and will be sending four Academy coaches over for the weeekend. Phil Gibney, Academy Manager, said "we are delighted to be taking part in this event. I spoke to Mo and Amy who were there last year and they had a great time and recommended we join in!"
The coaches will be present at the the Friday evening party and for Saturday and Sunday mornings to deliver training sessions for the children. We are committed to providing a top class event for all ages and abilities and the presence of Everton and Southampton staff will be a great inspiration to those taking part.
Investec Are Our New Sponsors
Investec are our new sponsors following Ernst & Young's decision to end their 7-year support of Le Tournoi.
Kevin Allen, Investec's Head of Investec Bank in Jersey, is delighted with the new deal and said "We are thrilled at having been given the opportunity to become overall sponsor of Le Tournoi as it dovetails perfectly with our strategy of raising our profile in both islands. Investec Trust already supports the Jersey Sports Association for the Disabled, which is a major beneficiary of Le Tournoi, so this will also help to bring everyone together for maximum benefit. We have listened to the Le Tournoi expansion plans and will be getting heavily involved in helping them to shape their next ten years".
The partnership is also welcomed by Le Tournoi and John Hanley, Vice Chairman added "To attract a major sponsor such as Investec in these difficult economic times reflects the quality of our product and the ambitions we have to improve our existing events and introduce new events in the next few years. We are really looking forward to working proactively with Kevin and the team and it will be charity and the community in general who will benefit ultimately from their support."
Colin Nell to Return for Soccer Festival
Colin Nell, one of the biggest hits of the 2008 Soccer Challenge, is set to return for three days over the 2009 Challenge. As part of our plans to work more closely with David Kennedy and the Community Sport Development team, Colin has very kindly agreed to come back to be a part of the 2-day primary schools sports activity days, the Friday evening Community Sports Party and the first day of the 9th Annual Soccer Challenge.
Colin is the European Soccer Skills Champion and is regularly featured in adverts for Nike, Vodafone and other huge enterprises, where his slick footwork is used as doubles for the likes of Ronaldinho and Henry!
2009 Soccer Challenge Launched
Following the enormous growth and successes of the 2008 Challenge, we are thrilled that this year's event will be bigger and better still. Last year, the three day event welcomed more of the local community than ever before - a day of coaching, a Waterfront party and the 1,200-player weekend Challenge.
We are keen to build on this and plan to extend the community/schools coaching an extra day, and have set a target of 2,000 weekend particpants through the introduction of an U12 Challenge. we have already had confirmation that a number of Guernsey teams are planning to join in, and have interest from the UK and Ireland too.
Scheduled to take place from 25th to 28th June the Summer Challenge will once again increase its status as the Channel Islands' biggest and most inclusive soccer event.
Mail us at admin@letournoi.org to register your interest
You have helped the JDCS put to sea
Today saw the Jubilee Sailing Trust ship the Tenacious in town to take a party of lucky individuals to sea for the day. Amongst the crew were Malcolm and Jamie Perree, two members of the Jersey Society for Deaf Children and Young Adults who were funded by donations from Le Tournoi. We are proud to be able to help in these small ways and this is all down to your continued support.
Click here to read an amazing summary of the experience