Ards and North Down Borough Council Launches Mayor's Cup 2026

Inspiring Young People and Celebrating Community Belonging

Ards and North Down Borough Council is delighted to announce the launch of the Ards and North Down Mayor's Cup 2026, a three‑day youth football and wellbeing programme taking place at Londonderry Park from 10-12 February 2026, coinciding with Children's Mental Health Week (9-15 February 2026).

The event will bring together up to 150 young people aged 12-14 from across the Borough, participating through their local football clubs. This year's theme, "A Sense of Belonging", aims to help young people feel more connected to their communities, peers, and Borough through sport, education, and shared experiences.

The Ards and North Down Mayor's Cup is led by Ards and North Down Borough Council, delivered in partnership with Sport Changes Life, and proudly supported by Ark Housing Association, Clanmil Housing, Radius Housing and Woven Housing.

This initiative is supported through funding from the Department for Communities and the Housing Executive's Housing for All Shared Housing Programme.

The Programme has its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy which reflects the Executive's commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society. 

Participants will take part in football sessions but will also actively participate in a range of workshops exploring confidence and leadership, good relations (IFA), community safety, mental health (TAMHI) and resilience, identity and healthy relationships (Women's Aid).

The final day will feature a Borough‑wide World Cup‑style tournament with mixed teams to encourage new friendships, followed by a family lunch and celebration event for parents and carers. Local sporting figures, including David Jeffrey MBE, Marissa Callaghan, Nicola McCarthy and Gerry Armstrong, will join participants on the day, while the Mayor's Charities for this year - Orchardville, Women's Aid and St Vincent de Paul will also be present to raise awareness and support for their work.

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Gillian McCollum said,

"I am delighted to launch the Ards and North Down Mayor's Cup 2026 - a celebration of our young people, our communities and the strong sense of belonging that defines this Borough. Taking place during Children's Mental Health Week, this programme uses the power of sport to build confidence, resilience, and positive connections at a time when young people need that support most.

I want to thank all our delivery partners, coaches, volunteers, and local clubs for helping us create an event that not only develops footballing talent, but at the very heart is nurturing safe relationships, tolerance and respect."

Alan Teggart, Sport Changes Life said,

"Sport Changes Life is delighted to help facilitate the Ards and North Down Mayor's Cup and to work with Ards and North Down Borough Council and all funding partners to deliver this important initiative. At Sport Changes Life, we firmly believe in the power of sport to inspire, unite and bring people together, and this project is a strong example of that in action. The Mayor's Cup provides a valuable platform to engage young people in positive educational messages around mental health, personal development, good relations and healthy relationships. Running the programme during Children's Mental Health Week further reinforces the importance of supporting young people's wellbeing in a meaningful and accessible way. Additionally, it is fantastic that this camp will help young people feel more connected to their community, their peers and their Borough. By bringing young people together through sport, we are creating an environment where they can build confidence, form new friendships and develop a stronger sense of pride in where they come from."

Philip Whyte, Woven Housing, on behalf of the Housing Associations said,
"We are very pleased to support this innovative programme and to work in partnership with so many others who are committed to improving outcomes for young people. A sense of belonging is vital - not only feeling part of something, but also feeling proud of where you live. Sport is a powerful way to build that connection. Our hope is that by the end of the camp, young people from all backgrounds will feel more rooted in Ards and North Down, more connected to each other, and proud to call this Borough home."

Photo caption: Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Gillian McCollum with Inda-Elizabeth Cox and Curtis Billing, Ards FC and top L-R, Colin McIlwaine - Sport Changes Life, Austin Kelly - Clanmil Housing, Jack Spellman - Sport Changes Life, Karen Hicks - Ark Housing, Philip Whyte - Woven and Taylor Long -  Radius Housing.