Addiction groups kick off mental health football tournament

The event was organised by Irvine's Minds of Recovery group, with a focus on mental health and recovery, in a bid to showcase one of the ways in which the issues can be tackled.

The tournament was organised in partnership with KA Leisure and the North Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP).

Six teams took part from across the county, with each team formed by groups who aim to support those going through challenging times.

The matches were held at The Circuit in Irvine on Sunday, October 22.

Dubbed the 'Irvine Circuit World Cup', Harbour Ayrshire and RecoveryAyr (both from Ayr), The Nest Wellbeing Group from Cumnock, The Killie Community, Minds of Football from the host Irvine group, and the Wednesday Warriors competed for the trophy.

But the main focus of the day was "tackling mental health on and off the pitch and showing addiction the red card".

A spokesperson for Minds of Recovery said after the tournament: "Yesterday saw a vision become reality as teams and families came together throughout the beautiful game in a pan Ayrshire round robin.

"The community at The Circuit was over 100 strong as Minds of Recovery, working in partnership with KA Leisure and the ADP, hosted a tournament connecting each other through a passion for sport, for tackling mental health on and off the pitch, and showing addiction the red card.

"Thanks to all the teams who played and supported one another, but a big shout out to all the volunteers who without their help/ knowledge wouldn’t have happened.

“The opposite of addiction is connection. And with the feedback we got back from the players, the families and the supporters we all certainly felt connected."

Congratulations to all who took part in the event.