Scottish Mental Health and Wellbeing League success brings ‘positive challenges’

The success of the Scottish Mental Health and Wellbeing League this season is set to bring “positive challenges” to its chair David McPhee.

The league was formed to support the recovery of individuals with lived experience of mental health problems and tackle stigma associated with mental health.

The season concluded on Tuesday at Toryglen Regional Football Centre, next to Hampden Park, with a cup competition sponsored by anti-sectarian charity Nil by Mouth, which was won by Partick Thistle Reds in a penalty shoot-out following a goalless draw with Street Soccer Glasgow. Well-known broadcaster and writer Archie Macpherson handed over the trophy and medals.

“The national cup competition was the finale to the season and we resume in March,” McPhee told the PA news agency.

“There were 16 teams and three new teams having a go, with Archie Macpherson handing over the trophy courtesy of our sponsors Nil by Mouth – it was very successful.

“The season has been very positive. We have had new teams, new players, new venues and new connections, that’s what it is all about.

“The Scottish FA sent a representative, so that was good, we are connected in with them.

“Our numbers have increased year on year and we have indications of more teams’ interest for next season already so that is something we have to manage as a committee.

“We might have to look at more pitches, more referees which is more cost so these are positive challenges that we have to consider.

“It is a little bit about the price of success. We don’t charge anything but clubs have to get their own transport.

“At the moment it is usually 14 teams playing over three pitches. Only six teams on at a time with eight teams off which is manageable but the more teams you have with three pitches the more teams you have standing around, which is not ideal.

“If you look at four pitches, that will cost more – including an extra referee – and some venues can’t accommodate four pitches so are you looking at two dates in different parts of the country which doubles the cost or do you regionalise it which takes away the connections teams are making?

“We are grateful for the grants we get from Scottish para football but that only goes so far so these things will be discussed early next year when we return.

“But the cup was a good way to finish the season. We had soup and sandwiches, we had a screen showing photos of the players from throughout the season, so it was a social event as well and Archie was there to present the trophy, which was great.”