Annual Community Cup football tournament a huge success

Last week, we hosted our 4th annual Community Cup football tournament. This year was the biggest yet with five teams joining us from services and organisations within Northamptonshire including Berrywood hospital, N-step, The Recovery House, Bridge Project, Northampton Disability Team and Black and Decker.

We entered two teams with patients, and for the first time two female players. Once again Russell Lewis from Northampton Town Football Club (NTFC) attended and helped organise the tournament and was joined by a professional referee overseeing the games. It was attended by more than 120 spectators and participants with support from patients who made and served food and refreshments.

One patient said:

"I felt like I was not in a hospital for a short period'.

During the tournament all the players demonstrated outstanding commitment, enthusiasm and effort throughout. The games were very competitive but played with great sportsmanship and team spirit. After four hours of high quality football it was an all St Andrew's final with team B winning the 7-a-side football Community Cup for the first time.

The day was rounded off with a visit from two professional players from Northampton Town football club – Forwards Matt Warburton and Billy Waters. They were gracious in helping with the presentations, having photos, signing kits, and spending time speaking with patients and staff. NTFC also provided prizes which included 12 football strips and 20 tickets to a home match.

It was a fantastic event in which it promoted social inclusion, facilitating connections with the community and enabling patients to take part in a normalising and inclusive activity, whilst meeting people who have had similar life experiences. A patient captured the event perfectly, by saying:

"It’s the best thing I have done since being in hospital".

Thank you to all our patients, staff and organisations that supported us and helped make this day a memorable one!