Under 11 footballers who play for Colby FC have been celebrating their end of season success with Zurich International Life.

Zurich sponsors the club’s three Under 11 teams – the Colby Cops, the Colby Commandos and the Colby Cobras – having purchased new kit for them at the start of the 2013/2014 season. Around 30 boys play weekly as part of Colby’s Under 11 squad, and are aged between nine and 11. The club has a strong junior operation, providing football coaching for children as young as five, as well as a girls’ team.

The strength of the club’s junior operation is reflected in the Under 11 results this season – the Colby Commandos team won the Isle of Man Under 11C League and the Island-wide ‘Coppa di Liga’ Cup. In addition, Arbory Primary School’s junior football team – which is made up of entirely Colby junior players – won the Isle of Man Inter-School (Primary Schools) Millennium Football tournament.

The club also gives junior players the chance to travel off-Island to take part in junior football tournaments in the North West of England, and test their skills against new opponents. 

All of the U11 squad players recently attended their end of season prize-giving, where they were presented with various club awards by Zurich International Life’s Communications Manager, Merita Taylor, who commented: “Colby FC has a fantastic junior set-up which supports a large number of young players from across the South of the Island from when they begin playing the sport right through to when they progress to senior level. The club provides them with an excellent training and match programme every week, at the same time helping them to develop their sporting, teamwork and social skills. Zurich is delighted to support such a worthwhile organisation and I would like to congratulate all of the Under 11 boys who have enjoyed such a successful season.”      

James Curphey, Manager of Junior Football at Colby FC, added: “I would like to thank Zurich for their generous support throughout the 2013/2014 season – it is very much appreciated by the boys who play in our Under 11 squads. Football plays such a huge part in the lives of youngsters in the Isle of Man and so it is vital we develop their skills from an early age. Without Zurich’s support we would not be able to provide the training opportunities or level of coaching that we do.” 

Photo - Zurich International Life’s Communications Manager, Merita Taylor, with (l-r) Owen Whitehouse, Harrison Pickard and Morgan Clucas, three of Colby FC’s main Under 11 squad prize-winners.