Professional Services Heat Glasgow
Date – Tuesday 8th August
Industry Partner
Companies we have involved:
Business Fives kicks off in the sun
Business Fives summer season kicked off in the Glasgow sun on Tuesday with the Professional Services heat.
Supported by the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, the event was a goal fest with 128 goals scored across the 24 matches as teams bid for the chance to qualify for our national final this September. Charity was the big winner on the day with over £1,350 raised for the various charities the companies taking part were playing for.
A superb effort from eventual finalists, iomart group raised a whopping £500 for their chosen charity, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Lacrosse Translation raised over £160 for United Glasgow, MBN Solutions raised £140 for Children with Cancer, Close Brothers contributed £90 for Alzheimers Scotland while Aggreko raised £90 fundraising for Beatson Cancer Charity.
The event finished with a Q & A session with Business Fives ambassadors Amy McDonald, Lee Mair & Ally Dawson who currently works for Business Fives winter charity partner, Street Soccer Scotland. Having played for no less than 22 clubs between them playing against and alongside greats of the game like Eusebio, Johan Cruyff, Ravanelli and Julie Fleeting they shared stories of memorable moments in their careers.
Ally Dawson is currently preparing the Scotland team for the Homeless World Cup in Oslo in 3 weeks and we wish them all the best in their efforts to bring home the cup.
The tournament initially saw 3 groups of 3 teams playing to qualify for the Champions League, Europa League and Intertoto Cup group stages. MBN Solutions scored 8 goals on their way to the Champions League with their early form putting them as favourites. 7 goals from Thomas McFarlane helped Shepherd + Wedderburn top their group with wins over Close Brothers and Lacrosse. The team from Cathcart Old Church scored freely in their league, notching up 10 goals in two games against DM Hall and TBR Global.
In the Champions League, it was only goal difference that separated the 3 teams after 3 very close encounters. Cathcart Old Church did the double over MBN Solutions to book their place in the final with the Stoddart brothers experience providing the inspiration. In the adjacent semi-final iomart and Shepherd + Wedderburn played out a goal fest with Thomas McFarlane adding to his tally on his way to picking up the golden boot top scorer award. The individual accolade was only consolation though as it was iomart who eventually won 5-3 with strong performances from John Ritchie and front man Xavier Lopez.
With both Champions League finalists safely securing their passage to the national final it was Catchart Old Church, led by eventual man of the match Iain Stoddart who ran out 3-1 winners to lift the Professional Services Glasgow trophy.
DM Hall and Aggreko turned their early performances around in the Intertoto Cup to qualify for the Europa League semi-finals alongside Lacrosse and TBR Global who played out a 2-2 draw when the sides met. The strength in depth of the Lacrosse squad proved crucial as they overcame DM Hall 4-1 before narrowly securing victory in a hard-fought Europa League final against Aggreko to book their place in the national final.
The action continues this month with 7 more industry sector qualifiers across Glasgow and Edinburgh as the tournament aims to reach £10,000 for charitable causes throughout Scotland. Follow all the action online on the Business Fives social media channels and website.
-
"Business Fives works. Football, networking and raising awareness and money for a great cause. It's a great idea and it is well executed by John and his team."
Weslo Housing Management
-
"I recommend this event as all my team thoroughly enjoyed taking part in a well run tournament and everyone had an excellent day. Thank you and I am sure we will be participating again next year."
Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association
-
"Business Fives was a fantastic event and was organised superbly. The event offered a great opportunity for team building and business networking. The event covered everything you possibly could want with a tournament, good communication, excellent organisation and welcoming staff. This was a unique event and we at RPS wish it success in the future with the hope to return next year and make the finals."
RPS Group
-
"A great team building day out and a better way to speak with other similar services. Bit different from the usual business conference. Very enjoyable "
South Ayrshire Council
-
"I can't remember the last time I was as impressed with an organisation. Well done to all your staff for organising a fantastic day. I felt the competition was just fabulous. The staff were friendly and informative and knew exactly where each team was through the duration of the competition. "
National Museums Scotland
-
"Thoroughly enjoyed the day. Really well organised and played in good spirit amongst all the teams."
Standard Life
-
"Business Fives was extremely well organised and a fantastic way to support charity. Our team thoroughly enjoyed the whole day and would recommend participation to anyone."
Doosan Babcock
-
"Fun event supporting a local charity. We're starting our training now for next years event."
Cooper Software
-
"The whole event was well organised with friendly staff and competitors. Would recommend taking part if you get the opportunity."
Dumfries and Galloway Council
-
"An incredibly enjoyable, well organised event that built excitement and engagement up to the day and then delivered! Nice buzz in the office before, during and after."
Geoghegans Chartered Accountants