Ards and North Down Council held the Mayor's Cup, a three-day youth football and wellbeing programme, at Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex. The event involved 150 participants aged 12 to 14 from local football clubs in the borough.

Activities combined football sessions with workshops on personal development, resilience, and relationships. Sessions addressed stress management, respect, tolerance, communication, and teamwork.

The final day concluded with a mixed-team tournament in World Cup format. Parents and carers joined a family lunch and celebration, attended by local sporting figures David Jeffrey, Marissa Callaghan, and Gerry Armstrong.

The council partnered with Sport Changes Life to deliver the programme. Ark Housing Association, Clanmil Housing, Radius Housing, and Woven Housing offered support. It was part of the Department for Communities and Housing Executive's Housing for All Shared Housing Programme.

Mayor Gillian McCollum said the participants fully engaged in the football and workshops. She observed increases in their confidence, friendships, and sense of belonging during the event. McCollum noted the timing during Children’s Mental Health Week and thanked partners, coaches, volunteers, and guests.