Our Big Goal Journey - Representing England in Morocco!

We’re still riding the high from an unforgettable experience at the The FIFCO World Corporate Champions Cup in Morocco. After winning The Big Goal 5-a-side football Northern Regionals and then the National Finals this year, we earned the extraordinary chance to represent England in Morocco at the end of October.

Heading Into the Tournament

Before we even got on the plane to Fes, Morocco, we didn’t quite know what to expect. All we knew was how grateful we were for the opportunity to take part in such a unique event. We were excited to represent our company, our country, and the wider Big Goal initiative, and we were determined to make the most of the experience.

One of the moments that really made it feel special was receiving our specially branded England kit. Wearing a kit that carried our company logo alongside the England badge instantly reinforced the sense of honour and responsibility – it was a visual reminder of the incredible teams and causes we were representing. For many of our players, it turned a childhood dream into reality. Ian Roby, Director of Account Management said:

“To represent your country in any form is a childhood dream come true. It’s the people around you that make it special, and we had an incredible team with the right mix of personalities and skill to make this experience unforgettable.”

Experiencing Morocco

From the moment we arrived, the tournament was a whirlwind. Our first night included a gala dinner in front of the Maracana venue, complete with local Moroccan dishes, entertainment, lots of Moroccan mint tea, and the chance to meet players and officials from around the world. It was a wonderful opportunity to get to know other teams and build connections that went beyond the pitch.

The tournament itself was intense. Playing Futsal rather than traditional five-a-side meant adapting to a smaller, heavier ball and slightly different rules. On top of that, the Moroccan heat pushed us to manage our energy carefully and stay hydrated, especially when facing teams used to hotter climates.

Highlights on the Pitch

We had some unforgettable moments during the games:

• A thrilling 4-2 victory over Brazil, which will stay with us forever. It was even the most streamed YouTube game of the whole tournament!

• Winning a tense penalty shootout against Cape Verde in the quarter-finals. Head to our Instagram to see all these highlights in our ‘Morocco’ Highlight reel.

• A hard-fought semi-final against Oman, where we dominated but just couldn’t convert enough chances.

• Our third/fourth place playoff against Mali, finishing fourth overall, celebrating with dancing and team camaraderie.

Finishing fourth in such a competitive international tournament was a huge achievement for us and something we’re extremely proud of.

Why The Big Goal Matters

For us, The Big Goal is more than just football. It’s about using sport to make a positive impact. Through our involvement with the Street Soccer Foundation, we were able to support disadvantaged young people while representing our company on an international stage. The sense of purpose made the whole experience even more rewarding, and it’s one of the reasons we’re so committed to the initiative.

Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead

• Teamwork makes the difference – on and off the field, collaboration was key.

• Adaptability is vital – adjusting to the tournament format and conditions taught us resilience.

• Enjoy every moment – from gala events to behind-the-scenes interactions, every experience counted.

• Purpose drives performance – knowing we were supporting a meaningful cause made every match more special.

• Living our company values in action – every match was an opportunity to embody Compassion, Teamwork, Hard Work, and Humility. Wearing the badges of Elite Group, The Big Goal, Street Soccer Foundation, and England, we were determined to make each organisation proud.

We’ve recommitted to The Big Goal for 2026, renewing our Gold membership. Our aim is to compete in the regionals and nationals again in 2026 and hopefully have the chance to represent England once more. To other ICT businesses who haven’t been involved yet, and other industries: take part! This is a chance to make a difference, build your team, and if the opportunity arises, enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you head to this referral link, you can sign up here.

If you want to see The Big Goal and Street Soccer Foundation in action visit the Street Soccer Foundation website and The Big Goal website or even check out their YouTube channel to watch the impact of the programme.

For all media enquiries, please contact Elite Group’s Brand Manager, Danielle Cain via danielle.cain@newtechgroup.co.uk