Preston North End Community and Education Trust [PNECET] staged a fun and inclusive football tournament for its refugee participants at Preston College.
The participants are drawn from Preston College's ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) class, with a wide range of nationalities represented.
The tournament was part of the Trust's wider activity around Refugee Week (19th-25th June), which also included an 11-a-side football match against Preston Centre of Sporting Excellence and AFC Fylde, donations made to Preston City of Sanctuary and supporting an event held by the Sanctuary.
Participant Marya, who is originally from Afghanistan, said: "I loved playing in the tournament so much, this was my first time playing football.
"Before coming to England, I had never heard of football or played it.
"Girls cannot study in our home country [Afghanistan]. I came here in 2021 and I really enjoy coming to College and learning every day.
"I think what is special about football is teamwork and everyone helping each other. We are all different nationalities but we all come together for football."
Elias, from Eritrea, commented: "I play football every Tuesday with PNECET and today was special with the tournament.
"I love playing the game and it makes me happy; the exercise and friendship it brings.
"My life here in Preston is so much better than in Eritrea. I have met many great people here and I'm so grateful for that."
To find out more about the Trust's Community Engagement work, please click here.