COVENTRY City will show their support for ‘Team Coventry’ who are competing at the International Children’s Games (ICG) this summer at their midweek game against Portsmouth (Wednesday, April 9).
Some 18 talented young athletes will represent the city on the global stage in judo, girls football and swimming at the ICG in Tallinn, Estonia.
Team Coventry are the only British team at the Games which take place from August 3 to August 8.
The competing athletes will be located around the Coventry Building Society Arena when the Sky Blues play Portsmouth on Wednesday, April 9 with kick-off at 8pm.
Coventry’s Team GB Olympian Chelsie Giles will lead and coach the judo team in Estonia.
And the City of Coventry Swimming Club will select six swimmers to represent the city at the Games.
Sky Blues in the Community are managing the girls football team and will take to the pitch wearing this season’s Coventry City home kit donated by the club.
The squad contains eight players following rigorous trials earlier this year.
Players from Coventry Sphinx, Coundon Court FC and Coventry City Girls will represent the city in Tallinn.
Team Coventry manager, Danny Kingham said: “We cannot wait to take these young athletes to Estonia to represent Coventry.
“It’s fantastic to work alongside Coventry City Council, Sky Blues in the Community, City of Coventry Swimming Club and Chelsie Giles who have supported the selection process and continued training sessions to ensure the team is ready.
“We’d also like to extend our gratitude to CCFC for allowing us to attend the game and raise funds – without this support, the trip wouldn’t be possible.”
Girls football team coach, Marianne Botterill added: “This is an incredible opportunity for Coventry’s female footballers, and I’m thrilled to be leading this squad.
“Coaching them in Estonia will be an unforgettable experience, and I hope to support them in bringing home a gold medal.
“I regularly work on our girls football programme at Sky Blues in the Community, but the talent on display during the two-day trials was outstanding.
“I’m immensely grateful to all the girls who tried out – it was inspiring to see.”
Team Coventry has participated in every International Children’s Games since 1997 and has hosted the event twice in 2005 and 2022.
