Optime Community Cup set for takeoff

A national five-a-side football tournament is set to unite the UK aviation sector, offering airport employees a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete against Manchester United’s legendary Class of ‘92.

Launched by aviation recruitment specialist Optime Group, the Optime Community Cup invites teams from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol airports to battle it out for the title of 2025 Optime Community Cup Champions.

The tournament kicks off in March, with each airport hosting its own Cup Day to determine a champion. 

The winning teams will then advance to the Finals Day on April 3, held on the rooftop pitch of Hotel Football Manchester, where the top team will take on Manchester United legends and Salford City co-owners Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs.

Speaking about the event, Paul Scholes, who was capped 66 times by England and inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2022, said: “We are proud to be a part of the inaugural Optime Community Cup and to be able to support this fantastic initiative to bring the aviation sector together through football. 

“To see the level of camaraderie and teamwork in another industry is wonderful, and we can’t wait to see the quality of the best teams.

“The final promises to be a brilliant event, and we look forward to sharing our passion for the game with everybody participating.”

The event is part of Optime’s wider mission to foster unity within the aviation industry, while giving employees an unforgettable experience.

Anthony Young, co-director of Crawley-based Optime Group, which was winner of the 2024 British Recruitment Award for Agency Recruitment Team of the Year, added: “Here at Optime, we’re always looking for ways to support the aviation community, so the Optime Community Cup is a fantastic way to bring people together from across the country.

“Football is famous in British culture for having the power to unite; through this tournament, we want to create an opportunity for colleagues in the industry to connect and build lasting relationships with one another. 

“So many job roles we support within the aviation sector rely on people working together as a team - we’re excited to see the talent and teamwork displayed throughout the tournament.”

Full terms and conditions for the competition can be found here.

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