A COWDENBEATH team was celebrating success at the Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) Home Internationals Football Tournament which saw the Blue Brazil Boys Club defend Scotland’s title.

A total of 12 football teams made up of girls and boys from former mining communities in Scotland, England and Wales took part in the finals at the at the prestigious City Football Academy, training ground to Manchester City’s first team.

The annual tournament is organised and hosted by CRT which supports local initiatives to improve the health and employment prospects of people in former mining areas.

The Blues Brazil Boys team managed to fend off strong competition from England’s Denaby 5ives in a closely fought game to win the Boys Championship 1-0.

And Olivia Chomczuk, from Central FC in Falkirk, was recognised by the tournament referees for her determination, skill and ability at such a young age (aged 11), taking home Girls Player of the Tournament. The Central FC girls narrowly lost the Championship to Tredegar Women & Girls FC from Wales.

People from local communities across the country travelled to Manchester to support the event, along with the friends and families of the players, in a toughly fought competition.

For 13 years, The Coalfields Home Football Internationals have been hosted by CRT, bringing mining communities together from Scotland, England and Wales to offer youngsters the chance to compete, make new friends and have fun.

Nicky Wilson, Coalfields Regeneration Trust Scottish trustee, said: “It was fantastic to witness some of the country’s finest young football talent playing on one of the country’s most prestigious football grounds.

“The standard of play was incredibly high, and I’m thrilled that Scotland was able to defend its title through the magnificent effort of the Blue Brazil Boys Club.

"All of the teams taking part played brilliantly, and the event succeeded in bringing together mining communities from across the country. I’m already looking forward to next year’s tournament!”.