Superteams comes of age!

This year's round of an annual team sports tournament has been hailed a success by the event's organisers and sponsors, who are hoping to beat their fundraising target.

AFM Superteams 2008 involved more competitors than ever before. Chris Leach, AFM's Managing Director, said that this year's competition had exceeded expectations: '2008 has proved to be an outstanding year for AFM Superteams, with around 450 competitors, from novice upwards, battling it out over 10 events (five a side football, rowing, netball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, squash, basketball, darts and pool). We saw some terrific performances at all levels, with a great atmosphere and plenty of fun. I think everyone involved would agree that this event really has come of age.'

The AFM Superteams tournament is organised by Guernsey Round Table and raises money for the Guernsey Cheshire Homes and MS Society. Last year it raised £6,500, which was split equally between the two charities. Mr Stuart Mosely, President of Guernsey Round Table, was optimistic about this year's fundraising: 'We're confident that we're on track to beat that figure.'

This year's tournament attracted teams from the island's retail, finance, light industrial and construction sectors, who took part in heats throughout the course of a week. The top two teams from each day, plus the best two runners up, went through to the finals at Beau Sejour on Sunday 22 June. Mr Leach paid tribute to everyone involved: 'We'd like to say a big thank you to all of this year's competitors for their support and enthusiasm. I'd also like to extend special thanks to the referees and officials who gave up their time to make this such an exciting and successful tournament.

The tournament was won by newcomers Savills Private Finance, whose Captain, Mr Pierre Blampied, commented: 'We were very impressed with the way that the whole competition was organised and run. The qualifying heats were lower key, but the finals night was very competitive, with each event closely contested (Final scores: Savills 95, Post Office 88, Home Again 81, Credit Select 67, Specsavers & Fortis 62, Heritage 58, Praxis 37).'

The tournament attracted competitors with a wide range of experience and abilities, from novices through to Island-level athletes, as well as a former England international. Mr Blampied praised the level of competition: 'We knew our strengths were in the badminton, volleyball and netball, but the standards across the board were very high. The Post Office team was particularly strong.' He added: 'We'll certainly be back next year to defend our title, but I don't think it will be easy. I'm predicting that the standard will be even higher.'

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