The Soccer Sixes tournament run by Barrow AFC’s Performance Centre were once again a massive success as teams from under-8 to under-14 level converged on Holker Street last weekend.

For the second year in a row, the tournament couldn’t have been played in better conditions, as the youngsters performed under blue skies on both days on a pitch that has held up brilliantly over the course of Barrow AFC’s campaign.

It wasn’t just familiar names such as Furness Cavaliers, Holker Old Boys or Crooklands Casuals that took part, either, as teams from further afield made the trip to Barrow to try and claim another piece of silverware.

AFC’s head of community Craig Rutherford said: “It’s always a great day and it’s great to see lots of different clubs, not just from from the Barrow area, but people have travelled from Penrith, Kendal and Lancaster to come and play here. That’s a credit to the club as well, as to how well viewed this tournament is.

“I’ve been watching the players and the coaches and just watching everybody allow their players to experiment and try things and enjoy their football.

“That’s our philosophy, from a Performance Centre point of view, so it’s fantastic to see grassroots clubs doing it as well.”

The younger age groups took to the field last Saturday, with Crooklands taking the under-8 title, along with Kendal side Ibis.

Furness Rovers had a successful weekend, as they claimed medals at under-9 through to under-11 level, with the club’s two sides playing each other in the final in the latter.

They played on the Sunday, as did the under-12 and under-14 age groups, with Furness Cavaliers and Dalton Juniors claiming the honours in the under-12s and Holker Old Boys and Crooklands Casuals doing likewise in the under-14s.

It was the last big event for the Performance Centre this season, although they will be hosting a half-term holiday camp at Furness College later in the month.

Rutherford said: “We’ve still got a few programs running from under-7s right the way through to under-10s, but as far as our Performance Centre goes, that closes for the summer.

“We’ll then be looking to get started this pre-season with the older teams. Myself and Liam [Reid] have got a lot of sitting down and talking to continue the work that’s already been put in.”

Rutherford also praised the ‘first class’ effort from his staff, the volunteers at the ground and the match officials during the tournament.