Undefeated Wybone in Waste World Cup penalty win

The 12th annual waste sector football tournament, supported by haulage, excavation and plant hire specialist Mick George, took place on Friday (September 5) at the University of Northampton. 20 teams from across the waste and recycling sector compete in the one-day, mixed gender, six a-side football event.

It was a triumphant return for the Wybone team, who had previously tasted defeat in the final of the 2012 tournament. Their path to the trophy saw them go unbeaten against teams from Valpak, Urbaser, LARAC, FCC Environment and Biffa.

Facing their sternest test in the final round of the tournament, the free-scoring Wybone team – who had amassed a total of 16 goals en-route to the final – were unable to unlock the Mick George defence throughout regular and extra time.

Penalties

Wybone were crowned champions after edging ahead in a tense penalty shootout – winning 3-2.

This year’s tournament saw teams facing off in a group based competition – with the winner of each of the groups – Mick George, Grundon, Wybone and Valpak – then going on to play each other in the Cup tournament.

Teams finishing second in each group competed in the plate tournament – won by FCC Environment – while third placed teams contested the bowl tournament – with Sharpsmart emerging victorious. Fourth and fifth placed teams locked horns in the shield and vase tournaments – where Biffa and Taylor Bins picked up medals.

Teams also entered from Bagnell and Morris Waste Services, GET Solutions, Grundon Waste Management, Manitou UK, SAICA Natur, Singleton Birch, UK Container Maintenance, Viridor and Waste Cost Reduction Services.

Support

This year’s tournament was organised by letsrecycle.com in association with headline sponsor Mick George. Pitches were sponsored by Mick George, Manitou, Smart Solutions, UK Container Maintenance and Sirius Communications. Charitable donations were collected once again in aid of the POD Charitable Trust, which sends entertainers into hospital to entertain children.

Players were also able to take part in three challenges organised on the day: the Hadfield Wood Recyclers Cross Bar Challenge, won by Jack Tregoning of FCC Environment; the Manitou Header Challenge, won by Kishan Kotecha of Sharpsmart; and, the Taylor Wheelie Bin Challenge which was won by Alex Lopez of Urbaser.

The event was hosted on the playing fields at the University of Northampton’s Park Road campus. The university runs a number of academic courses relevant to the waste management and recycling sector.