CTF celebrates success with Leyton Orient FC stars

CTF celebrates with O's stars

Coping Through Football celebrated its second anniversary on Thursday 9th October with a five-a-side football tournament that coincided with the lead up to World Mental Health Day.

The tournament, organised by Coping Through Football service users, featured participants from Waltham Forest who were watched in action by Leyton Orient FC first team players Stephen Purches and Tamika Mkandawire.

Club captain Purches and defender Mkandawire were in attendance to offer encouragement and advice to the participants and fielded questions in an open Q&A session with the group.

“It’s great to be involved in something like this and the questions they asked us show just how much they are interested in football. “ Stephen said. “One of the lads has got one hell of a shot on him – they all want the ball and all want to get involved. There are completely different standards of players here but they don’t care as long as they are playing and kicking a ball around”.

The tournament featured teams split into names of London clubs with awards given to winners and runners-up as well as for the most improved player and top goalscorer.

Tamika said: “It was good watching the group play here today. Everyone was enjoying themselves which is the main thing about this session and sport in general.”

When asked about the tournament Rob Tromans, one of the LOCSP coaches involved in the programme said “We decided to stage this tournament to celebrate the second anniversary of the project, to coincide with World Mental Health Day and to show people our facilities and what the project can offer.

“It was brilliant having the Leyton Orient FC players here today as our players really opened up; they loved them being here and wanted to show the players how good they were at football.

“The question and answer session saw some really funny questions alongside some coaching tips. Our players were really buzzing - the sun was shining and the day couldn’t have gone any better.”

Alex Welsh, LPFF Chief Executive said “The tournament captured what Coping Through Football is all about; coming together to play sport in an environment that enriches the mind body and spirit.

“The project illustrates the value of working in partnership and the LPFF is both proud and grateful for the support it has received from the NELFT and LOCSP in delivering this groundbreaking initiative.

“Our next step is to transform this project into a long-term mainstream service that will continue to benefit local people with enduring mental health problems.”