Beckton, the home of West Ham United FC Community Sports Trust, was the venue to deliver a Leadership training workshop hosted by the Professional Footballers’ Association and Unionlearn ‘Achievement through Sport’ project.

The event was designed to inspire, motivate, engage, challenge and educate young volunteers aged 16+ from some of the most deprived areas within the London Borough of Newham. The session included an opportunity for young people to gain leadership skills in both classroom and practical based environments with support from experienced coaches and staff represented from both the PFA/Unionlearn and West Ham United FC.

The evening commenced with a few of the long-term volunteers and partner organisations introducing themselves and explaining their roles within their respective organisations, in hope that the young people will find these speakers relatable and be inspired by their journeys. The day promoted diversity using the love of football and sport as a medium. The PFA’s Community Executive Dave Palmer, who has been with the PFA for over 23 years, was also present on the evening to give the young people an overview of the PFA’s continued work in the community across the country and the important role volunteers play to ensure long-term sustainability.

A presentation and ‘model’ practical session was delivered by the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (QEOP) Athletics Activator to give the young volunteers extra resources to build their confidence and self-esteem. The young volunteers were then given the opportunity to transfer their classroom-based knowledge onto the state of the art 4G-football pitch to deliver a practical session to their peers whilst being assessed.

All participants who were involved in the evening were given certificates and educational packs that included information on the various social inclusion, educational and volunteering opportunities available to young people within London.

Rajai Rose, 19, from the borough of Newham said:

Today was an enlightening day in the sense that I learn a lot about how to get others and myself active by doing unorthodox activities. I would like to thank West Ham United the PFA and Unionlearn for this opportunity.”

Safayia Butt, 20, who is currently NEET said:

It was a fun, enjoyable experience filled with positive and influential people. I can’t wait to work for West Ham!.”

The West Ham United FC Community Manager Rashid Abba, who has been liaising closely with the PFA/ULF Project workers Riz Rehman and Kris Irwin leading up to the event said:

It was great for the young people to interact with and pick the brains of the PFA staff who had given up their evenings to join us. We have had some excellent feedback from the event already and few of the young people have already been offered volunteering experience with Athle-Fit. Without the support of the PFA and Unionlearn Fund, this would not have been possible and we look forward to continuing our partnership”.