On Sunday 7th July Stonepillow hosted our annual 6 a-side football tournament at Arun Sports Arena. Bringing together teams including Stonepillow clients and staff, partner agencies and local grassroots clubs, 26 teams participated to support our cause of preventing homelessness and restoring lives. For the first time ever Stonepillow’s Breen Machines (named after a client who passed away in 2022) fielded 2 teams, with 6 clients lacing up their boots and enjoying a day of football, fun and fundraising.
The structure of the tournament was divided into 2 sections: a men’s social tournament of 16 teams, and a men’s competitive level with a further 10. Teams from as far away as Portsmouth took to the pitches in the traditional British summertime weather of intermittent light rain showers, strong winds and sunshine. Cobnor Activities, O’Hagan’s award-winning and legendary sausages, face painting, bouncy castles and kids’ challenges were just a few of the fantastic additions on the day to add to the family feel.
Established in 2022 by Head Coach Liam, manager of Stonepillow’s Chichester Day Hub, the Breen Machines gives Stonepillow clients a sense of purpose and belonging as well as contributing to better health and wellbeing – all hugely important for someone experiencing homelessness and working towards sustainable independence.
Liam says: “Playing in the Stonepillow tournament is one of the highlights of my year. It’s great fun and played in good spirits. I love playing for the Breen Machines as it’s an inclusive team. It’s not about ability but turning up and putting some effort in every week at training. Hopefully it has a positive effect on the mental/physical well-being of the team, as it does mine. Having played team sports all my life, it gives a 43 year old with broken body a chance to play with some great young players and not be judged for fitness or excluded.”
Justin, a Stonepillow client and a member of the Breen Machines said: “It was a good day out and fun with the team. We get on and had a great time. I like playing for Breen Machines because it’s a good team and keeps me fit”.
The day was a perfect showcase for our charity – with the cherry on the top being both Stonepillow Breen Machine teams making the final of the men’s Social Plate. After many months of team building and weekly training sessions, it was an emotional moment when the Breen Machines Green team took home the trophy.
“I look forward to coming to the football sessions every week; it takes my mind out of real life situations and stresses. There’s a real good bond between us all, we have a lot of fun and shake hands afterwards.” – Stonepillow Client
Besides the winning, the real success of the day was bringing over 500 people together to raise awareness and funds for the homeless and rough sleepers in our communities.
It is important that we highlight the amazing contribution of our volunteers, staff and trustees who helped to make this year’s event a resounding success. It takes a real team effort to ensure an event like this runs smoothly and that we can cater for such large amounts of people; and again Stonepillow’s values and team spirit shone through in full force.
