- Leicester City in the Community reached the final at the brand-new Street Soccer Cup
- Created by Street Soccer Foundation, Leicester City in the Community deliver the 10-week Street Soccer Academy programme
- The programme is designed to build employability skills for 18-25-year-olds seeking a first career opportunity
- One participant has secured a coaching role with Leicester City in the Community following success on the programme
Leicester City in the Community’s Street Soccer Academy team finished as runners-up in the inaugural Street Soccer Cup, which celebrated the conclusion of the second cohort that finished the programme.
Street Soccer Academy was designed by Street Soccer Foundation to use the power of football to help change the lives of those who take part. For 18-25-year-olds, the sessions help teach participants valuable employability skills to improve the likelihood of finding first-time work appointments.
Shamus Powell – one Leicester City Street Soccer Academy participant and winger – reflected on the tournament and the 10-week course.
“I have enjoyed the 10 weeks, of course meeting new people, training with them and building confidence with each other,” he said. “Hopefully, after the course, I am looking to get an apprenticeship or job in bricklaying, or maybe even coaching football.
“The skills I have picked up will help me with meeting new people and communicating well with them. I never thought I would get to play here since I started playing football; I am very happy and grateful to be here.”
Shamus and the rest of the Leicester City representatives joined Tottenham Hotspur, Sheffield United, Liverpool, West Ham United and eventual winners Millwall at this year’s Street Soccer Cup.
Harry Monk, goalkeeper and participant on the Street Soccer Academy programme, is also looking forward to the future after the showcase event at the FA's national football centre in Burton upon Trent.
“We have come here to enjoy it and I think we have all enjoyed it,” he reflected. “For us to get to the final is a fantastic achievement, we have made the most of it.
“I am hoping to retake my GCSEs in Maths and English again, before doing a college course in kitchen fitting. The skills I have picked up will help me a lot with things like applying for jobs.”
Following the conclusion of the second cohort of Street Soccer Academy, participant Eric Maisiri has secured a coaching role with Leicester City in the Community to add to the success of the programme.
You can watch the conclusion of the second Street Soccer Academy, HERE. For more on Street Soccer Academy and to register your interest for the upcoming cohort, contact Matt.Bray@lcfc.co.uk.