Care leavers to compete at Molineux Stadium

This year's event is free and will be held on 14 June

Young people who have been in care will be competing at Wolverhampton Wanderers' Molineux Stadium as part of a national tournament.

Twenty local authority six-a-side teams will take part in the National Championship Cup 25 in June.

Organised by City of Wolverhampton Council and Wolves Foundation, people aged between 16 and 24 will take part in the event with the final being held on the same day.

Councillor Jacqui Coogan said: "This is a fabulous opportunity for care experienced young people to play on the hallowed turf of Molineux Stadium, and to follow in the footsteps of so many of their footballing heroes."

Young people in the city formed Wolverhampton Warriors and went on to compete against three other local authority teams for the first cup in 2022, the council said.

The tournament doubled in size in 2023 and was held at Molineux for the first time in 2024.

This year's free event, on 14 June, will be bigger with interest from councils in North Yorkshire and Milton Keynes, resulting in 200 young people taking part, the council added.

Coogan said: "It would be fantastic to fill Molineux and have as many people as possible there to cheer them on, so please make sure you get your free tickets when they become available."

Organisers said they were keen to reach out to businesses who may be able to help by sponsoring trophies or medals competitors will receive.