May 2016 Annual Homeless Football Tournament

THE TOMMY McLAFFERTY CUP 2016       Day of Football for Homeless Players.

We had a Great Day !!

On Sunday 15 May 2016 the Abbey Pools Astro Turf Pitches (kindly made available by the Cambridge City council) played host to the 7th Annual Tommy McLafferty Cup, a 5-a-side football tournament involving homeless people and volunteers connected with organisations working within the homeless sector in and around Cambridge.

Jointly organised by the Rotary Club of Cambridge South, Cambridge Link-Up and Winter Comfort for the Homeless, the 2016 tournament attracted nine teams representing Jimmy's Nightshelter, WinterComfort, Riverside, Link up, Cyrenians, Open Door (Newmarket), Cambridge Housing and the Cambridgeshire Police.
The weather was kind – a lovely bright and dry day.  A pre-tournament sandwich lunch (prepared by Chris Dade, Emma Hyde and homeless volunteers) was followed by a warm-up session for all participating players led by our refereees for the day. The first games kicked off at 1.00 pm. with volunteer referees from the Cambridge United Supporters group (James Mills) and Batchbodyfitness (Iain and Clive) acting as referees for the afternoon.   
Players enjoyed a wonderful cake snack mid-afternoon prepared by Chris Dade and volunteer homeless from 451.
Each team played 5 games an in an entertaining and very closely contested final The Police team beat The Council’s Housing team by one goal. All the games were very competitive and played in true sporting spirit. The Cyrenians A. team took third place by beating Open Door, also by one goal.
 
Duncan Hannay Robertson, President of the Rotary Club of Cambridge South 2016-17, presented the trophies and medals for the afternoon. This included Player of the Tournament (the choice of Emma Hyde, Chair of Cambridge Link-Up) - Shane Rowse of Cyrenians and Micky Lowth of Link Up as the Brian Turner Goalkeeper of the Tournament. 

Cambridge United plan to make another presentation of the Trophies at their ground once the 2016-17 season gets underway. All the players of the two finalist teams received medals. 

The afternoon concluded with an excellent Barbecue made possible by funding from the Rotary Club of Cambridge South and supplied by Food 4 Food, (a social enterprise run by Winter Comfort for the Homeless).

Several players and spectators said that they had had an inspiring and fun day.

 "Every year, spectators, players and organisers alike, leave this event with a huge smile on their face and a massive sense of achievement." - Emma Hyde, voluntary Chair of Link-Up
 
 “It is very clear that most of us are only a pay cheque and a personal crisis away from becoming homeless. It is a great pleasure to work with the Homeless organisations, to arrange the tournament, and see the fun and improved self-esteem generated by this football tournament." - Mike Smith, of the Rotary Club of Cambridge South.

Background to Event.  
Rotarians heard about the Homeless World Cup at a Rotary conference and decided to arrange a local tournament in Cambridge.
When Tommy McLafferty died homeless on the streets of Cambridge in 2009, friends who had met him there decided that the event (a 5-a-side football tournament) should carry his name. because of his love of the game and the time he spent as a successful coach with the Scottish giants Celtic.

Amazingly, the Player of our 2010 Tournament went on to captain the England team at the Homeless World Cup in Rio de Janeiro.

Notes :

WinterComfort for the Homeless offers basic amenities, opportunities for educational development and recreation, and a range of services to help people achieve greater autonomy.
www.wintercomfort.org.uk 

Cambridge Link-Up is a homeless led community group to help build self-esteem, improve self confidence and help empower people towards integration with mainstream society,

www.cambridgelinkup.org.uk

BatchBodyFitness Team - a local fitness team who are keen on a holistic approach to wellbeing. A father and son partnership who give of their personal time generously to support the community projects run by the Cambridge South Rotary Club.

BatchBodyFitness.co.uk