The inaugural event, organised by and held at the University College, Northampton, saw teams from around the (UK) waste world competing for the cup in a “Football In My Back Yard” tournament.
 CIWM deputy executive Chris Murphy (left) presents the first Waste World Cup to ERM captain Adam Read |
Ten teams took part, including representatives from local authorities, environmental consultants, the community and private sectors.
Presenting the Waste World Cup to the victorious team, CIWM deputy executive Chris Murphy said: “Some excellent football was played out there, with some good footballers of both sexes.”
He added: “Football was the winner here.”
Predictions that ERM would suffer a defeat by crowd favourites, the Environment Agency, proved far off the mark in a final that saw a number of chances squandered on both sides. ERM's golden goal in extra time came in a blistering move that made a mockery of the Environment Agency's regulatory controls in defence.
Commenting on the victory after an emotional prize-giving ceremony, ERM team captain Adam Read said: “It's been a hard afternoon – great fun, though. Next year we'll be back with a stronger squad, a fitter squad, and we'll get in training before the tournament.”
- Click here for full tables and results from the 2003 Waste World Cup.
ERM's win over the the Environment Agency came following wins over the Chartered Institute of Wastes Management (on penalties) and the Minerals Industry Research Organisation.
Agency
In the latter stages of the competition, the Environment Agency came up against Building Research Establishment, a match they also won 1 – 0 and Northampton county council succumbed 2 – 0.
The Agency's route to the final also included a tough draw against letsrecycle.com in the gruelling group stage of the competition, in which the Agency's Ben Morrish managed to scrape a goal to effectively end the dream for the letsrecycle.com team.
Steve Dickinson, letsrecycle.com player-manager said afterwards: “Our makeshift team brought together a swimmer, hockey player, basketball player, rugby player, editor and pool player…alas not a footballer amongst us. All the more impressive was the team spirit showed in our narrow 1-0 loss against finalists, the Environment Agency.”
Meanwhile, letsrecycle.com took on Resource magazine in a referee-free “friendly” match that ended in a victorious 0 – 0 draw. The match saw remarkable skills on both sides, particularly in avoiding injury on the hard pitch as well as avoiding getting anywhere near the goals.
Mr Dickinson commented: “Despite failing to qualify for the latter stages of the tournament, I did feel encouraged by our dominance over Resource magazine in the battle of the media – a very one sided goalless draw.”
A full-day event under the blazing Northampton sun, the Waste World Cup saw participation from all sectors of the waste and recycling industry in the UK. Next year's event is expected to be bigger and better. Details and dates for next year's event will be published by letsrecycle.com in early 2004.
See page 2 for a Waste World Cup picture gallery.
| Group A | ||||||||
| ERM | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| Environment Agency | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 5 |
| Miro | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| letsrecycle.com | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 3 |
| Harborough DC | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 9 | -4 | 1 |
| Group B | ||||||||
| UCN | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 |
| ESA | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| SITA Env. Trust | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 3 |
| University of Leeds | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 |
| Group C | ||||||||
| BRE | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Northampton CC | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| CIWM | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 2 |
| Resource Magazine | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 1 |
Quarter Finals
UCN 0 – 0 CIWM (won on penalties)
Env. Agency 1 – 0 BRE
ESA 0 – 1 Northampton CC
MIRO 0 – 3 ERM
Semi Finals
CIWM 2 – 2 ERM (won on penalties)
Env. Agency 2 – 0 Northampton CC
Final
EA 0 – 0 ERM (won on golden goal)
Final:
Environment Agency: Lee Horrocks, Craig Jefferies, Adam Shipp, Ben Morrish, Torz Sturt, Katharine Dolman, Pedro Collins, Adrian Robinson
ERM: Louise Strack, Olabode Fsan, Steve Ley, Kirsten Berry, Fay Peachey, Trudi Gasser, Mike Wenborn, Adam Read, Hannah Kendall
Register for free to comment