July 21, 2017

Women Against Domestic Abuse Cup 2017

Some of the team from our Women’s Turnaround Service laced up their football boots and hit the pitch this week, as they took part in the Women Against Domestic Abuse Cup 2017.

The annual tournament, which is currently in its fourth year, was set up to raise awareness around domestic abuse, and was jointly organised by Liverpool Homeless Football Club and Liverpool County FA with Liverpool City Council City Safe, The Morgan Foundation, The Power League, Worst Kept secret, Regenda Housing heavily supporting the day and support from Blackburne House, Liverpool YMCA,  and Stanley Park CIC.

Lots of our fab PSS People got behind the event and we teamed up with Merseyside Community Rehabilitation Company, so we had two teams playing on the day – one called ‘The Nutcrackers’ and one called ‘The Minions’. Neither team had much football experience, but after some ‘intense’ training sessions, they were raring and ready to go.

The tournament started with both teams being placed into groups. The Nutcrackers got off to a flyer with a resounding 5-0 win in their first game. The Minions also had a wonderful start with a 3-1 win. The two teams continued their fine form, both winning their second game. The third game proved a little bit more tricky with both teams suffering defeats, but the two earlier wins proved enough for both teams to qualify from their groups and take part in the knockout stages.

The Minions suffered a 3-2 defeat in the knockout stages but The Nutcrackers got another win (partly to some goalkeeping heroics from Women’s Turnaround Service Manager, Sharon Cooper) to make it through to the Semi Final.

Unfortunately The Nutcrackers didn’t make it past the semi final after losing cruelly on penalties. But a fantastic day was had by all, and for two teams who had never played together before, they certainly put on a show – and for a fantastic cause.