Emmaus teams getting their kicks!

A five-a-side team from Emmaus Mossley has won a charity football tournament hosted by Oldham Athletic Community Trust (OACT) at The Futsal Arena in Oldham.

Five teams from Emmaus communities across the North West battled it out in the inaugural OACT Emmaus Futsal Cup.

In a series of closely-fought matches, Emmaus Mossley secured the most points, winning three out of the four games they played.

Darren Bateman, companion and team captain of Emmaus Mossley, said: “Firstly, well done to our team on winning the cup.

"I’m very proud of what we accomplished on the day. I would also like to give a big well done to all of the other Emmaus communities who took part.

“Thank you to OACT for putting the day together, organising the tournament and welcoming us to Boundary Park for the Oldham Athletic first-team game in the afternoon.”

Other teams taking part in the tournament were Emmaus Burnley, Emmaus Merseyside, Emmaus Preston and Emmaus Salford.

Each Emmaus community supports people who have experienced homelessness by providing them with a home and work in a community setting.

Rob Curran, Participation Manager at Oldham Athletic Community Trust, said: “It was good to see the different Emmaus communities coming together for the OACT tournament.

"The football was played in the right spirit with everyone respectful and supportive of one another.

“It was also good to see the players at Boundary Park afterwards and we’d be very happy to support another similar event in future.”

Following the football tournament, OACT organised tickets for the Emmaus players to watch the Athletic game against Macclesfield Town.

OACT has supported Emmaus Mossley for the past two years with donations, visits to the club and player tours of the charity’s community base at Longlands Mill in Mossley.

The partnership has helped to inspire weekly football training sessions, improving the health, wellbeing and teamwork of Emmaus community members.

Harry Barlow, Community Leader at Emmaus Mossley, said: “The OACT Futsal Cup tournament was a great way for us to unite with our fellow Emmaus communities and build links in our local community.

"I’m so proud of all the people from Emmaus communities who took part.

“I would like to give thanks to OACT and Oldham Athletic for their continued kind support of Emmaus and also thank The Futsal Arena and Dave from Lockforce Locksmiths for donating the cup.”

To find out more or support Emmaus Mossley head to/; www.emmaus.org.uk/mossley.

If you would like to get involved or donate an item, please call 01457 838608 or visit the store at Longlands Mill, Queen Street, Mossley OL5 9AH.

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