Players from Salisbury House, St Helens, held their nerve during a dramatic penalty shoot-out to be crowned overall winners of the 2009 SAHA Cup.  The event is an annual five-a-side football tournament for homeless men and women living in Salvation Army Housing Association (SAHA) supported housing units, or centres managed on behalf of SAHA by The Salvation Army centres or Watford New Hope Trust.  Other SAHA residents also entered the competition from our General Need’s accommodation.

Close to 400 players in 40 teams from across the UK and as far a field as Cardiff, Skegness and Edinburgh gathered at the Power League in Birmingham on Tuesday 15 September. Although most players were male, several teams included female competitors and Ann Fowler House, Liverpool, fielded an all-women team.

Now in its fourth year, the day-long competition had teams split into five leagues with all squads playing a minimum of four games. Tournament finalists Salisbury House in St Helens, and Bristol's Logos House had both displayed their winning potential throughout the early rounds, but were deadlocked at 2-2 at the end of normal play until the penalty shoot-out.

Salisbury House's eventual triumph brought four years of disappointment to an end, as centre manager Robert Long explains:

"We've been involved every year and have come so close to winning, getting to quarter and semi-finals. The guys were very excited about the SAHA Cup and were very confident of winning it, but to actually do it has been great for them and all of us at the centre.”

"Sport has a lot of the attributes we are helping our clients to develop, such as working in a team, developing health and fitness and managing aggression”, adds Robert.

"At Salisbury House we've made it a priority to enable the residents to play football regularly. We have an agreement with a local school to use their astro-turf pitch every week. Naturally it is great for the residents to have a kick around but having the chance to bring that up a level and improve their skills in a tournament like the SAHA Cup is even better."

SAHA Chairman Colonel Lawrie Fisher and Chief Executive Nigel Parrington and The Salvation Army's Director of Homeless Services Maff Potts presented trophies to the winning teams and medals to all participants.

In addition to the main trophy, Watford New Hope Trust lifted the Chairman's Plate, London's Booth House won the Parrington Plate, and Bramwell House, Blackburn, clinched the Itihaas Plate. Ashbrook, Edinburgh, were recognised for their Fair Play and Lovatt Court, Stoke, received the Team Spirit trophy. The best goalkeeper was judged to be from Sneinton House, Nottingham, and the East Midlands' sole victor in the competition.

A special challenge match between staff from SAHA and The Salvation Army resulted in a 3-1 win for The Salvation Army team.

Helen Ricketts, Principal Manager SAHA says: "The SAHA cup is both an enjoyable day, and a great way of increasing homeless people's self-worth, motivation and confidence. Since we started four years ago, it has acted as a catalyst with residents training all-year-round and looking to become involved in other community or sport-related activities."

The SAHA Cup continues to grow in popularity, with many of this year's competitors already looking forward to 2010's tournament, not least Salisbury House...

 "We hope to be able to defend our title in 2010 although, by the nature of our centres, it is unlikely that any of this year's winners will still be living with us by then, possibly having being resettled," says Robert. "We will be starting from scratch somewhat but we certainly look forward to bringing another team of lads to give them a chance to share these very positive experiences."

For details about taking part in the 2010 SAHA Cup, or to find out more please email Helen.Ricketts@saha.org.uk or call 0800 970 6363.