Lowell win the Qualco Cup, in charity tournament to raise money for CALM
The annual Qualco Cup charity football tournament took place on 7 September 2022 at the £20m home of Walton Casuals in aid of Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).
Fourteen teams competed in a seven-a-side World Cup-style knockout tournament to win the coveted Qualco Cup and Qualco Plate. Companies submitting teams to compete in the tournament included Vanquis Bank, OSB Group, Rhotic Media, Cabot Credit Management, Sigma Connected Group, Shard Media, Tesco Mobile, Lowell, Arvato, Perch Group and Ecospend.
It was an enjoyable day of football and fundraising with 36 group matches played in showery conditions, followed by knockout stages to win the Qualco Cup and Qualco Plate.
Lowell were crowned champions, winning the Qualco Cup after a penalty shootout win sealed their victory over OSB Group. Reigning Qualco Cup champions Cabot Credit Management went home with the Qualco Plate after a tense 1-0 win against Arvato. Shard Media won the Fair Play Award and Daniel Hall from OSB Group won the prize for Top Goal Scorer. Fulham FC legend Les Strong attended the day and presented the prizes.
Lowell’s captain Bridie Hannon said: “It was amazing to be part of a brilliant day for a great cause. To walk away with the Cup was extra special. To win it how we did in the style we did – no goals conceded – makes us super proud. The best moment must be winning on penalties in the final! It made the long journey back to Leeds even better. We already cannot wait for next year! Thank you to everyone involved in making the event happen.”
One of Cabot Credit Management’s star players, David Large said: “Disappointingly we were unable to land the top prize for a second successive year, but were extremely pleased to go the whole day without conceding a goal and winning the Qualco Plate! Thank you to all the team at Qualco for putting on such a well-planned event. See you next year!”
To boost the charity donation a raffle was held to win prizes including match tickets and a signed shirt donated by the Fulham FC Foundation, an organisation committed to driving the conversation about mental health and the initiative to raise money for CALM. Fulham FC Foundation representative Daniel Harvey said: “We know that 1 in 4 people will struggle with mental health challenges every year but there is still a stigma related to talking to others about what you might be going through. Football is much more than a game; we have created an environment for all people to come together and support one another.”
Qualco’s managing director Christian Jacob said: “After a two-year hiatus it was so good to return with our charity football tournament! Double the number of teams took part this year and we hope to grow it in 2023 and beyond. Congratulations to Lowell and Cabot Credit Management for taking home the silverware and thank you to all the teams who took time out to raise money for CALM.”
The Qualco Cup will return in 2023 and everyone is welcome. If you would like to field a team, contact football@qualco.co.uk.