Rejoicing in Ripon: Is your team up for Ripon’s first Pig Cup?
Football fever is gripping Ripon as the countdown is on for a keenly-awaited new six-a-side tournament for lovers (aged 25 and above) of the beautiful game ⚽.
A dozen of the 16 sides that will be vying to become the first winners of the Pig Cup 🏆 have already signed up and would-be competitors based in Ripon and neighbouring areas have until the end of March to put their ball in the bag.
The tournament is the brainchild of Portly Pig regular Helen Cotterill-Smith and Stuart and Katie Ross, who own the popular Kirkgate hostelry and are Ripon BID members.
Helen, whose husband John plays alongside Stuart in the Portly Pig six-a-side team, is a former Police Sergeant in the South Yorkshire force and a fervent supporter of suicide prevention charities and organisations ❤️.
In her role as regional safeguarding manager for the English Football League, her expertise and contacts have ensured that the tournament, which takes place at Ripon City AFC’s ground on Sunday July 12, is going to kick off on the right foot ⚽.
The beneficiaries of funds raised through the teams’ entry fees, donations from locally-based businesses and an auction — where football memorabilia and other desirable items will be up for sale (to be held in June) — are the charities Andy’s Man Club, which meets at Ripon Bowling Club on Monday evenings, and Ripon Men’s Shed, whose workshop at its Water Skellgate headquarters is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Helen told Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon blog:
“During 25 years of service with the police, I had the harrowing experience of having to deal with suicides and the aftermath and a key objective of the tournament is to raise awareness of men’s health and wellbeing issues and the help and support that is available for those who may currently feel that they are on their own.”
She added:
“The vast majority of people who take their own lives are men.”
Katie said:
“Stuart and I couldn’t think of two better charities to raise money for, and we have been bowled over by the positive response from the Ripon community 🙌.”
She added:
“Helen is such an inspirational woman and we’re delighted that she is helping us. We couldn’t have got the tournament going without her knowledge and determination.”
Stuart pointed out:
“The tournament will run from 10am until 2.30pm on Sunday July 12 at Ripon City AFC’s Mallorie Park Drive ground and we are extremely grateful to the club for allowing us to use their facilities free of charge. They will be serving refreshments throughout the day in their clubhouse ☕.”
“Adding to the Pig Cup day, Helen has secured, through her EFL contacts, the Carabao Cup, the League 2 play-off cup and Vertu EFL trophy — all of which will be on display 🏆 — while a drone will be used to film the action on the pitch 🎥.”
With places for just four teams still available, businesses or organisations who would like to take part in the tournament should contact Stuart Ross as soon as possible via info@theportlypig.co.uk 🐷
Players aged 25 and above are eligible to take part in the tournament and there is an entry fee of £50 per side, which includes insurance of £1 per player for teams of six and two substitutes.
Helen Cotterill-Smith (left) and Katie Ross (right) are pictured outside the Portly Pig, with representatives of RIpon Men’s Shed and Andy’s Man Club, plus Stuart Ross and John Cotterill, who are members of the Portly Pig’s six-a-side football squad.
From the left: Stuart Ross, Chris Taylor, John Massie, Bob Cooper, John Lacey, Ian Botwright, Barrie Wilkinson, Chris Davey, Owen Pearman (Andy’s Man Club) and John Cotterill.
Ripon City AFC is providing use of it’s ground and facilities free of charge for the tournament matches on July 12.
