The Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute got into the holiday spirit by partnering with Youth Vision for the sixth year in a row to present the “Cup Match at MWI Experience”.

But this year, the partnership has expanded to include the Living Legends Camp as well as the K. Margaret Carter Centre.

The mock Somerset and St George’s teams also included eight young adult players from MWI.

Juliet Basden, the MWI activities co-ordinator, said: “Our goal is social interaction, to get the public to destigmatise and to engage young people in an event that will encourage them to be in healthcare professions.”

Ms Basden explained the need for medical professionals on the island and how integrated events such as these can help. “The healthcare profession is in need of nurses and medical providers, so that’s one of the possibilities to open the kids’ eyes to potential careers,” she said.

Ms Basden added: “Some years we’ve had Crown and Anchor tables, so we try to make it as festive as possible to mimic the actual game.

“Many of our clients don’t get out to the game, so we try to bring a game to them.”

For the youngsters in the match, it was a chance to have fears destigmatised about those with special needs.

“They get to see another side of special populations,” Ms Basden said. “We try to leave behind some of the fears that young people might have.

“Fun is a way that fear can be dissolved.”