Players from Cardiff Canton Salvation Army corps (church) are celebrating winning the SAHA and Salvation Army Cup, a national five-a-side football tournament held at stadiummk, home of MK Dons on Friday (21st May).
The squad beat teams from as far a field as Bristol, Edinburgh, Lewes, Skegness and Dublin taking part in the one-day contest that included teams of homeless and vulnerably housed men and women living in Salvation Army centres or supported housing units run by The Salvation Army Housing Association (SAHA).
Now in its fifth year, this is the first time the all-day finals event has been held in Milton Keynes and by the MK Dons at their home at stadiummk. More than 40 matches were played on four specially created five-a-side pitches at the stadium, refereed by MK Dons Sport and Education Trust staff.
SAHA Chairman Colonel Lawrie Fisher, SAHA Chief Executive Mr Nigel Parrington, and The Salvation Army's Programme Secretary Lieut-Colonel Ian Barr presented trophies to the winning teams and medals to all participants.
The Cardiff Salvation Army team, comprised of church members, played 12 matches to win the title. Team captain Chris Brown said: 'It's a great feeling to win. We just came here to enjoy the day and see what happened but the longer we went on, we thought we might have a chance of winning. There have been some really great teams here. It's been a really great day and a well-organised event.'
In addition to the main trophy, other winners included: Catherine Booth Lifehouse in Portsmouth, who lifted the Fair Play award, and Charter Row Lifehouse, Sheffield, received the 'Team Spirit' trophy. The best goalkeeper was judged to be Paul Booker from Charter Row Lifehouse, Sheffield. The church team from Cardiff Canton scored the most goals. The runners up were Charter Row Lifehouse from Sheffield.
SAHA Chairman Colonel Fisher said: "This day is important as it has helped create new relationships, team spirit and motivated people to become healthier while having a good time. Equally important is connecting people within the Corps with the work of SAHA and we hope this event will lead to further joint activities."
Major Ivor Telfer, Assistant Secretary for Programme at The Salvation Army, said: "Running down the tunnel and onto the pitch to play the beautiful game was a dream come true for all the teams in the SAHA and Salvation Army cup. The weather was great, the food was superb, the staff were brilliant and there were some good moves on the field. The day wasn't only about playing the beautiful game but was about the relationships needed when you're playing in a team. It was about the desire to succeed, it was about building friendships and giving the opportunity of a lifetime which we hope to continue in an even better way as we move into 2011.
"We want to thank all the SAHA and Salvation Army staff for their excellent work, especially Helen Ricketts, but we also want to thank the MK Dons for their support, and lots of other people too numerous to mention. Our prayer is that this will enable our residents to go on from strength to strength and achieve their God-given potential."
John Cove, Chief Executive MK Dons Sport and Education Trust (SET) said: "It was wonderful to be involved in such an innovative event that brings together the power of football with a range of support services that will hopefully benefit all participants long past the event itself. We hope this will be the start of a long and beneficial partnership between the SET, SAHA and The Salvation Army, and of course linking in to the Homeless World Cup where we look to help grow future champions."
