It was double-delight for Street Soccer London at the Level the Playing Field Awards night at Decathlon.
After two public nominations and an panel nomination on the evening, the team left with two awards to enjoy with players, staff and volunteers.
Street Soccer London was recognised through the Young Cohort of the year award by LtPF. The group were praised, having arrived in the UK last summer and were referred to our drop-in sessions – they have been engaging every week since.
Since their first session with Street Soccer at Black Prince Community Hub they have been a joy to be around, fully engaging with staff and players on every level.
LtPF highlighted on the night “the sense of community they have felt and created has made their early experience of seeking asylum in this country a very pleasurable one which cannot be said for many.”
The recent partnership between Palace for Life Foundation and Street Soccer London was also the recipient of an award on the evening, as voted by a panel from Levelling the Playing Field’s strategic partners.
Palace for Life have been supporting Street Soccer London’s youth sessions and providing additional opportunities to players within the programmes.
Programme Coordinator, Jack Badu, was delighted with the award and the ongoing work between the partners and how the team have bonded together.
“Our coaches have fantastic relationships with the young people we work with and sometimes new coaches coming in can find it hard to build a similar rapport. We managed to secure Sheridan from Crystal Palace as a coach on a weekly basis, who has been brilliant.
Palace were then able to find tournaments, education and training opportunities that gave participants an opportunity to challenge themselves. Palace also delivered a sports leadership course last year in half term to an additional group of young people. We are extremely grateful to enjoy such a fruitful partnership and we look forward to continuing our work going forward.”
Palace for Life Foundation is the official charity of Crystal Palace F.C. which has been working with the south London community and partnered with Street Soccer London in 2021. Using the power of football, the foundation work with over 15,000 people each year, inspiring them to find a better path and to lead a healthier life.
To learn more about our work, get in touch with Jack Badu on jack@streetsoccerlondon.org.
