CORNISH YOUNGSTERS PUT HiQ ON THE WORLD SPORTING MAP

HiQ Cornwall has been elevated onto the world sporting map after their sponsored football team took on the finest academy sides in Europe - and won!

Charlestown under 10s shone in the Welsh Super Cup - one of the largest youth football tournaments ever held - which attracted teams from Dubai, Malta, America, Canada, Finland and Norway.

A number of academy teams from professional clubs also took part including sides from Blackpool and Cardiff City, but the Cornwall kids won a number of games to finish third overall.

Looking resplendent in HiQ kit, donated by HiQ franchisee Justin Roberton, the Charlestown youngsters prospered, thrashing a Dubai academy 7-1, who had not been beaten in four years.

They then beat Malta's finest 2-0, inflicting another rare defeat on a side previously unbeaten for three years.

The performance drew praise from a number of professional academies and eventually paved the way to a semi-final game against Blackpool Football Club's centre of excellence.

The Cornish boys lost 4-3 to an injury time goal after being 2-0 up but dusted themselves down to win the overall third and fourth place play-off against Welsh academy Fairwater, again triumphing 7-1.

HiQ Cornwall franchisee Justin Roberton said: "It was a proud day seeing the boys in their HiQ kit and putting in so many impressive performances.

"They gained a number of admirers and earned the respect of all the teams they played, so much so that a number of scouts from Championship and Premiership sides have all shown an interest in the boys."

Charlestown manager John Yelland said: "I couldn't be prouder of the boys. They really lit up the tournament and did us all proud.

"On behalf of everyone connected with the club, we'd also like to thank Justin Roberton and HiQ Cornwall fur supporting us and sponsoring the team for so many years.

"Cardiff City's coach said that we were the best non-academy side they had ever faced, while a number of other scouts were taken aback by their ability.

"Who knows, we could have the next big star in our ranks from Cornwall!"

HiQ Cornwall has centres in St Austell, Newquay, Helston, Truro and Bodmin.