Fives for Lives was born in 2015 when a group of friends from Galway who had relocated to Sydney came together and decided to host a five-a-side football tournament in aid of suicide prevention.
They were successful in their endeavours and in September 2015 raised $8,320.
Following this success the original committee regrouped in 2016 and added three more young Galwegians who had joined them in Australia to the committee.
On this occasion it was decided that money raised would be divided equally between Suicide Prevention Australia and Pieta House Ireland. They were hugely successful and hosted a 40 team tournament consisting of both men and women where a staggering $21,320 was raised.
The committee are now in negotiations to host a tournament in New Zealand and Fives for Lives in Sydney takes place in November 2017 for the third consecutive year. Over recent months three of the original committee have returned home to Galway and have formed a new Irish based committee with a few to replicate the success in Australia.
Having come together two weeks ago, this energetic committee have secured Salthill Park for Saturday June 3 for a day long feast of football and family fun activities.
Head of operations Mike Cubbard said; “A 32 team men’s tournament has been set up and an eight team women’s tournament which will run between 9am and 5pm over three pitches. A family area in the park has also been created which will include food venders, live music, face painting, and visits over the day from various children’s characters such as Mickey Mouse, Spiderman, and Paw Patrol.
“All venders on the day have agreed to donate their profits to Pieta House which is a very welcome move. Businesses across the city have been very supportive in offering services as well as donations and there are a variety of sponsorship packages available. One hundred per cent of monies donated will go to Pieta House West. We are ambitious and as a voluntary committee have set about to ensure this is a weekend that everyone will remember, a weekend where families can put Saturday June 3 in their diary to visit Salthill Park for a day of quality football and enjoy a variety of activities for all members of the family.
“We have a host of people we are very grateful to and will ensure our social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter are updated regularly. If it was not for the dedication and voluntary contribution of referees, musicians, medical personnel, as well as our FFL volunteers and many more we would not be able to make this event a success.”
