The Delvin Memorial Cup returns for its second year on Wednesday, July 8, at Exeter City Football Club's Cliff Hill Training Ground, bringing together three local teams to celebrate the life of a much-loved young footballer while sharing an important water safety message.
The three-team tournament will feature Exeter Regional Talent Centre, Exeter City FC Academy and Heavitree Youth FC, the club Delvin Musakwa proudly represented.
The memorial event honours Delvin, a talented young footballer whose tragic death in the Exeter Ship Canal last year, aged just 13, had a profound impact on his family, friends and the local football community.
Created in tribute to Delvin's passion for the game, the tournament celebrates the lasting impression he made on his teammates, coaches and everyone who knew him. Each team will play one another once, with the top two sides progressing to the final.
The Cliff Hill is open from 5:30pm with the tournament starting at 6pm, with free admission and free parking available for all supporters. Refreshments will be on sale throughout the evening, with all donations supporting the life-saving work of the RNLI.
Academy coach Micky Turner said: "Last year we tragically lost Delvin in the Exeter Ship Canal. As a club, as an academy and as a community, we felt we needed to do something to bring the football community together while also raising awareness of how dangerous open water can be.
"A year on, we're proud to continue the tournament in Delvin's memory. On Wednesday evening we'll once again host the Delvin Memorial Cup at the Cliff Hill Training Ground, and we hope as many supporters as possible can come along to support the event."
Turner also urged people to take care around open water.
"Water can be just as dangerous as fire. My advice is simple: don't enter open water unless it's safe to do so. If you are going into the water, make sure someone knows where you are and never swim alone. Choose locations where there are trained lifeguards whenever possible.
"If you find yourself in difficulty in the water, try to control your breathing, float on your back like a starfish, and call for help."
The Academy's Under-14s will once again play in Delvin's memory while helping to spread an important message:
Stay safe around open water – only swim in lifeguarded or patrolled locations.
The RNLI is a registered charity that saves lives at sea, providing a 24-hour search and rescue service around the coasts of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, as well as lifeguards on more than 200 beaches in England. The charity relies on donations and voluntary contributions to continue its vital work.
Supporters attending the tournament will have the opportunity to donate to the RNLI, with all funds raised helping the charity continue its life-saving service.
The Delvin Memorial Cup takes place on Wednesday, July 8, from 6pm at Exeter City Football Club's Cliff Hill Training Ground. The event is open to everyone, with free entry and free parking available.