Two U's supporting eight-year-old twins who helped Cambridge United romp to victory in CUP26 were surprised on live TV tonight with the news that they will present the trophy to the First Team squad...
Eight-year-old twins William and Oliver - who together scored an incredible 629 goals for Cambridge United as part of football’s climate tournament CUP26 - were tonight surprised live on TV, when The One Show revealed they would be presenting the CUP26 trophy to Cambridge United on pitch at the club’s next home game.
The boys were the top scorers for Cambridge United - and the second highest in the UK - raking in goals by taking green action to help protect the planet. During the eight week tournament they took on numerous green challenges, including going on walks, going litter picking, kicking trash into the recycling bin, hanging up their washing instead of using the tumble dryer, taking photos of bugs and making a bird feeder.
Presenters ex-Arsenal player Alex Scott and Gethin Jones congratulated the boys, showed them the trophy, and then revealed the youngsters were invited by Cambridge United to present the trophy to the players.
As well as reducing their own carbon footprint, the boys have helped save an area of forest the size of 1,000 football pitches in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is thanks to a donation to Rainforest Trust UK made by CUP26 organisers Planet Super League in the name of trophy-winners Cambridge United.
William, 8, who plays for Cambridge United’s Under 9 team, said, “I thought we should get involved because I really like nature and was hearing on the news that lots of animals have become extinct. I saw lots of CUP26 activities I would enjoy, so I just did loads. I feel really excited we won because it makes Cambridge United a more famous club. It makes me feel a bit shocked they’ve beaten all these Premier League teams. If more people do CUP26 in the future, then the more animals and nature there’ll be - we need nature to survive.”
Oliver, also 8, said, “I really enjoyed CUP26, because I really like going on walks, helping save nature and spending time with my family. It’s made me more interested in climate, because I understand more about the effects of climate change. People at the climate change conference need to start trying to save the planet. They need to stop people cutting down trees. I’m proud of what we’ve done - it makes me feel happy to know I’m saving the planet.”
Cambridge United were named as CUP26 winners today at COP26, where world leaders continue to debate commitments to combat climate change. The club beat eight other finalists in a dramatic week of green action, including Arsenal, Spurs, Fulham and Aston Villa.