As part of its ongoing commitment to improving men’s health and reducing health inequalities across Calderdale, Halifax Opportunities Trust (HOT) organised the inaugural Calderdale Cancer Aware Cup, a men’s pool tournament held at Halifax Snooker Club. The event was designed to leverage the universal appeal of sport to engage men in conversations about their health and well-being in a setting where they felt comfortable, relaxed, and able to be themselves.
Recognising that many men are less likely to engage with traditional health services or openly discuss personal issues, the tournament provided an informal environment where meaningful conversations could happen naturally. Bringing together men of different ages and backgrounds under one roof, the CCA Cup demonstrated how community-based activities can break down barriers, encourage new friendships and create opportunities for support without the pressures often associated with formal health settings.
The relaxed atmosphere created by the tournament meant that health conversations happened organically between games. Men who may never have attended a health event or wellbeing session were comfortable asking questions, sharing experiences and talking openly with staff and one another. This demonstrated the value of meeting people where they are and delivering important health messages through activities they already enjoy.
The tournament itself was a great success, played in excellent spirits with plenty of friendly competition throughout the afternoon. Participants thoroughly enjoyed the format, the social interaction and the opportunity to spend time together, with the event receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback. More importantly, it showed that community activities can act as an effective gateway into wider support services.
One of the most encouraging outcomes has been what has happened after the event. Conversations have already begun about further developing the group and creating more opportunities for men to come together regularly. Pleasingly, several participants who attended the CCA Cup have already gone on to attend another Halifax Opportunities Trust group, becoming new users of HOT’s Community & Wellbeing services. This demonstrates the lasting impact of the event and highlights how informal engagement activities can successfully connect people with ongoing support.
Ilyas Najib, Calderdale Cancer Aware Worker and Community Organiser at Halifax Opportunities Trust, said:
“The success of the CCA Cup has shown that some of the most meaningful conversations happen away from clinical settings. By creating a safe, comfortable and relaxed environment, men were able to enjoy themselves while also opening up about their health and wellbeing in a way that felt natural rather than forced. That is exactly what community engagement should be about.
We know that men are often less likely to seek support or speak openly about their health, so we must continue providing welcoming spaces where they can connect, talk, ask questions and access advice without judgement. If events like this encourage even one person to recognise the signs and symptoms of cancer, attend a screening appointment or seek medical advice earlier, then they have the potential to save lives. We are excited to build on the success of the CCA Cup and continue developing this group so even more men can benefit from the support available through Halifax Opportunities Trust and Calderdale Cancer Aware.”
The CCA Cup has demonstrated that community-led engagement, built around shared interests and trusted relationships, can play a vital role in reducing health inequalities, encouraging earlier cancer awareness and creating lasting pathways into community support services. By combining sport, conversation and early intervention, the event has laid strong foundations for continued engagement and represents another positive step towards improving men’s health and reducing inequalities across Park Ward and Calderdale.
