Crerar Trust supports Street Football in a Safe Place

At Spartans Community Football Academy we have been delivering “Street Football in a Safe Place” since we opened in 2008. On weekdays after school we open our football pitches for young people to come and play free of charge. We provide basic equipment and have a boot bank if participants need to borrow boots. Our youth workers supervise street football sessions allowing them to develop relationships with young people and introduce them to other youth work programmes at The Academy.

We asked regular attendees Adam and Tucker about why they come along and what they enjoy about Street Football.

Adam (13) and Tucker (14).

SCFA: How long have you been coming to Street Football?

Adam:

“Around two and a half years.”

Tucker:

”I would say about 3 or 4 years.”

SCFA:  How did you find out about Street Football?

Adam:

“From a friend.”

Tucker:

“Same!”

SCFA: Why do you come to Street Football?

Adam:

“Because it’s class to play football with friends. You meet new people too.”

Tucker:

“I go because its good to go there ‘cause the football is free and you can just go with your pals and have a laugh and play football.”

SCFA: What other things do you enjoy about Street Football?

Adam:

“I like to play ‘knockout’”.

Tucker:

“Me too – the best is when the youth workers play too!”

SCFA: Do you do other things at The Academy?

Adam:

“I started to come along to FooTEA on a Friday.”

Tucker:

“I’ve done some Magic Memories trips.”

SCFA: What would you be doing if you didn’t come along every week? 

Adam:

“Probably be sitting in my house on my computer.”

Tucker:

“Aye, same, probably be sitting in my house on my Xbox or sitting on my phone bored.”

SCFA: What would you say to other people who haven’t been yet to get them to come along?

Adam:

“Come along its really and is a great place to play football with friends.”

Tucker:

“It’s a great place to play football its free and you can come with as many friends as you want and its really good to go to.”

This year we are very grateful for the support from the Crerar Trust that has helped us to continue to deliver Street Football in a Safe Place and give local young people a free, safe place to play and socialise.