Doubling in size since the first tournament last Summer, the event was held to raise awareness of projects which aim to reduce the stigma of mental health, particularly amongst men, and to support suicide prevention projects.
Various organisations competed, including teams from Stones in the Community (MindStones and Maidstone United Raiders); men’s mental fitness & football projects from Dartford, Ebbsfleet, Gravesend, Sittingbourne, and Tunbridge Wells; DadSpace; Maplewood Court Care Home; TE Connectivity; and former pupils of Oakwood Park Grammar School.
The tournament started with a group stage followed by eight teams moving to a knockout competition, with two teams from DadSpace, Maidstone and Ashford, meeting in one semi-final and Oakwood Park Grammar School facing a MindStones team in the other. Both semi-finals were decided on penalties, with the DadSpace Ashford team then overcoming Oakwood Park Grammar School in the final.
Teams which were knocked out at the group stage had an opportunity to play friendly matches, overseen by Lorraine Humm, and this helped to forge the feeling of camaraderie and shared purpose of the day. Future friendly matches could be in the pipeline!
We would like to thank all the teams for taking part as well as the many spectators who attended to cheer them on. Particular thanks also go to Lorraine Humm and Matthew Brooker for their refereeing duties, to the players who stepped up to referee matches when they were not involved in playing, and to the Maidstone Raiders players for arriving early to set up the goals and mark out the pitches.
We look forward to doing it all again next year!
