Action packed day sees Fit Rovers host another fantastic play on the pitch event for participants

Club Doncaster Foundation held their annual Fit Rovers play on the pitch event for the seventh time, last Saturday, with a jam packed day, giving participants memories to last a lifetime, as they graced the Eco-Power Stadium pitch. 

A firm favourite in the Fit Rovers calendar, those who have completed the eight week course are eligible to play in the event. 

The ever growing event, has seen the addition of more games before the main event, for the second year running, with Retro Rovers and Fit Rovers Ladies.

Retro Rovers took part in a mini tournament, made up of four teams, giving participants the chance to play walking football on the pitch. Fit Rovers Ladies followed, with two teams battling it out, under the watchful eye of former Doncaster Rovers Belles players, Sheila Edmunds and Jan Milner as the managers. An end to end game, saw the result finish 5-4 to Team Sheila.

The main event followed, with the teams managed by returning Doncaster Rovers legends, Jan Budtz and Tim Ryan, alongside Foundation staff members, Ben Howe, Owen Pawson and Joe Saunders as their assistants. 

An action packed game saw both teams create plenty of chances throughout the course of the evening, with each taking advantage of a power play in the form of ex-Rovers player, Martin Woods. 

After well taken chances from participants and an impressive lob of the keeper from Woods inside his own half, Team Tim headed into half time with the lead, but with some changes for the second half, Team Jan put on a phenomenal display, with their first half keeper, Jake Woodward, swapping to striker for the final 45 minutes and scoring four goals in quick succession, to turn the scores around.

An enthralling 90 minutes of football ended with Team Jan lifting the trophy, with the final score finishing 5-3. 

Speaking of their involvement, Tim and Jan said: “This event is all about making the memories for those involved. 

“The Fit Rovers courses are brilliant. These participants are coming, not just for health & fitness, they come for the camaraderie too. 

“Being involved in this event, it’s family. The people pull us back, we’ve been involved with Rovers for years, so when we get the invitation to manage a team and support the Foundation, there’s never a hesitation. 

“The courses have played a huge part on the community within Doncaster and days like this, really do show how the community can come together to support each other.”

Howe, Health & wellbeing officer for the Foundation, headed up the event and said: “We’ve had nearly 90 people experiencing playing on the Eco-Power pitch, across the course of the event, more than 500 people watching from the stands.

“It’s by far the best experience on and off the pitch to date that we’ve had and it was amazing to be a part of. 

“Being able to create this opportunity for our participants, is a privilege, and to see an atmosphere build and have our fantastic Fit Rovers community come together to celebrate and support one another, it’s just incredible.

“For those playing, to have the support from people within the stands and make the day special for them, it’s fantastic, and it just shows the kind of community we’re building here at the Foundation. This event is only going to get bigger and better as we continue to build on it and I already can’t wait to do it all again next year!”

Players were treated to fish and chips from local Doncaster business, Fish Bits, as part of the post-match celebrations.

A huge thankyou to our sponsors of the event, who helped support the creation of the bespoke shirts for those involved, the matchday programme and the food available for players after the games. Sponsors were, Biscuit Billys, Fish Bits, Nexus Corporate Solutions, Active Care Homes, Jet Simulator UK, and The Memory Club, as well as all of our volunteers, spectators and players.

Interested in finding out more about the Fit Rovers courses, please contact fitrovers@clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk.