Leicester City host youth charities for football tournament

A charity football tournament was hosted at Leicester City’s training ground for young adults who have recently completed personal development courses.

The National Street Football Academy Cup took place in Seagrave on Friday, featuring young people aged between 18 and 30 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The tournament marked the end of a 10-week course, which is run by the Street Soccer Foundation across the country in partnership with several soccer clubs, focusing on positive mindset building, employability skills and soccer coaching.

Keith Mabbutt said he set up the foundation in 2015 to use football as a catalyst to fight youth homelessness issues.

Mr Mabbutt, who played for Millwall, Gillingham and Charlton Athletic in his youth, said he set out to “change lives through the power of football” after hearing a radio program about the rise in youth homelessness.

Mr Mabbutt added that the tournament was “a reward” for all the young adults who committed to the programme, which is delivered in partnership with a number of football club charities and community organisations.

The tournament welcomed 18 teams, with the likes of Leicester City, Liverpool and Derby County represented.

The teams were divided into three groups, with four reaching the semi-finals.

Community A team Everton beat their B team 3–0 in the final to win the cup.

Sunderland native Jack Smithson was helped by the foundation after becoming homeless and is now an ambassador for the charity.

He joined Sunderland Street Soccer while living in a hostel, describing his experiences as “difficult”.

“There were challenges,” Mr Smithson said. “But everyone faces challenges and I kept reminding myself of that, just to keep moving forward and not fall into a deep hole.

“You have to be positive, especially in those situations because it’s very easy to fall into bad habits and go back into a dark hole.

“I trained my mind, if I think of a negative, think of three positives that could be there, so that’s what I always do now.”

He is now an ambassador for the Street Soccer Academy and said the foundation has helped him “massively”.

“I’ve met a lot of people on their journeys and it’s great to be able to tell my story and hopefully it’s a positive thing they can look to as well,” he said.

“It’s one of those days where I don’t take every day for granted. I’m privileged and I feel it every day.”