On the 31st April 2022, members of the University of Plymouth Men's Football Club (UPFC) came together to host the first Callum Quartley Cup at Staddiscombe Playing Fields.
UPFC created the Callum Quartley Cup to commemorate the tragic loss of one of their members, Callum sadly took his own life last summer. This year marked the first annual Callum Quartley Cup, a day to come together as a Club to raise awareness of mental health, raise money for charity and to remember Callum.
The day was organised by Nathan Dear, Theo Tibbs, Ben Chadd, Ethan Fane De Salis and Charlie Goldsmith.
Read more about the event from UPFC below.
2022 marks the first annual CQ cup. A charity football match and day out organised to raise money and awareness for mental health.
For those who don’t know, last year we lost a brother and fellow member of UPFC. Cal embodied everything it meant to be a friend. He was always laughing, always up for a pint and would chat to anyone no matter who they were. However, for reasons we still don’t know he took his own life and ever since we, as a club, have strived to promote mental health (especially in men) and want to continue to do so year after year in order to stop this happening again. Cal was the epitome of a ‘bloke’. Loved football, beers and barbecues, so what better thing to do than all three as a celebration of his life and charity fundraiser.
It was a day of happiness, celebration and remembrance that serves as a reminder to all members that however dark and tough University may seem, you always have a group of mates with football to talk to.
We hosted a football match to raise money for MIND Charity, whereby the proceeds of tickets, raffles and food were accumulated on a Just Giving page, which raised £1304 in just one day.
"We are amazed at the generosity that was displayed throughout the day, especially to those who did not turn up but still donated towards to such a worthy cause"
- Ethan Fane De Salis, UPFC Safety Officer
Every team was represented in the match, with both teams having players from all UPFC teams, as well as Callum's family members, who came down for the day in support of the event.
"We are all so glad that Callum's family were able to make the event travelling down from Bristol, to show their support. They have been nothing but amazing and onboard with the plans we had to commemorate and celebrate Cal's life."
- Theo Tibbs, UPFC Member
The Match:
Each team was allocated a Captain and those Captains each selected their 14 man squad to compete for the Callum Quartley trophy and prize. Captains were required to select at least one player from each UPFC team (1-7) and then, including themselves, they had free reign to choose 6 more players. All players selected to play paid a £10 fee, half of which went to the charity and the other half towards the prize for the winning team.
The winning team also won a trophy, which will now be awarded every year on this annual event.
The Day:
The Staddy Pub at Staddiscombe Playing Fields kindly offered us their pub and beer garden to us for the day. There were big tunes, big beers and big food. After the game finished we reconvened at the pub for some post-match speeches from execs, a raffle and a barbecue (all of which raised money for the charity, Mind).
"The whole day ran smoothly as planned, with the turnout being better than expected and everyone was on top form and high spirits for the occasion. Credits must be given to Charlie Goldsmith for planning, organising and cooking the excellent food that was on display"
- Nathan Dear, UPFC Chair and Event Host
This day was about bringing people together to raise money and celebrate Callum's life.
UPFC's JustGiving page is still accepting donations, you can contribute to the Callum Quartley Cup which is fundraising for Mind by clicking here.