Aflac Achieve Champions Status in Belfast
Business Fives returned to Belfast for the second of two sold out events on Wednesday 3rd August. 27 teams came together to score 418 goals across 75 matches at Stormont Pavilion. Teams from across the city were playing for donations for their chosen charity with hopes of becoming the Belfast Business Fives champions and qualifying for our National Finals.
The teams raised over £3423 for charity and the top fundraiser prize was hotly contested. Hunter Savage raised £510 for Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children, the Andor teams raised a fantastic £410 for Helping Hands but it was the team from Concentrix who claimed the award having raised a terrific £1187 for Northern Ireland’s Children’s Hospital.
On the pitch, it was the teams from Ocorian, Options IT, Vanrath and Aflac who made it to the Champions League semi finals. The team from Options IT were edged out by Ocorian in the first semi final before Aflac beat Vanrath to set up the final!
It was Aflac who secured the £586.60 donation for their chosen charity, Children’s Cancer Unit Charity, courtesy of a 3-1 win in the final. Runners-Up Ocorian earned a £266 donation Guest speaker Tommy Wright identified Dean Abbot as the key man in the final and this scooped him the Player of the Match award.
Both teams secured their spots across the water at a National Final of their choice in either Glasgow or Leeds set to be held on Tuesday 18th October and Thursday 20th.
It was Gerrard McMullan from Concentrix who claimed the other individual award, with his 22 goals helping them to the Champions League quarter-finals and helping him claim the Top Goalscorer award.
The final qualifying spot and a £213.30 donation was at stake in the Europa League section as Imperva, Andor, Belfast City Airport and Instil all made it to the semi-finals.
The Final proved to be a tight affair but it was the Belfast City Airport Team team who eventually claimed victory to become Europa League winners, earn a National Final qualifying spot and a £213.30 donation for Aware.
After the football, teams enjoyed a drinks reception and buffet and were treated to some brilliant stories from former Northern Ireland, Newcastle United and Manchester City, goalkeeper, Tommy Wright.
Business Fives will be back in Belfast for our 2022/23 Winter Season. If you or any of your connections might like to take part, please feel free to pass on my details.
Belfast Football Tournament Timings
1:30 – Registration and Networking
2:15 – Kick Off
5:00 – Drinks Reception, Buffet, Q&A and prize presentation from Guest speaker Tommy Wright
Prizes
£950 will be split between the winners and runners up of the Champions League and Europa League. We also have Top Fundraisers, Top Goalscorer, Ladies Player of the Tournament, Man of the Match in Champions League Final
Health & Safety
Alongside medical support on site as standard for our Business Fives events for any injuries that might arrive we are taking some extra steps to mitigate risks associated with events.
You can follow us on social media and both finals of the Europa League and Champions League will be streamed live. With all the coverage it’s a good time to remind you that you will be representing your company so play with respect.
Twitter – @businessfives Instagram – @businessfives17 LinkedIn – Business Fives Ltd Facebook – Business Fives.
By taking part you have all helped us raise over £325,000 through our events which we are absolutely thrilled with and we wish you every success in the tournament.