We work closely with schools, youth clubs and leisure centres throughout the UK. This provides us with consistent, first-hand insights into the challenges facing young people from a wide range of backgrounds. Increasingly, we have identified a significant gap in structured, positive provision outside of school hours, particularly for those who may be vulnerable to exploitation, grooming, gang involvement, substance misuse, or knife crime. The academy has been developed specifically to respond to this need by offering a safe, structured environment where young people can express themselves and feel supported.

While football serves as the engagement platform, the core objective is a broader social impact. The academy focuses on building discipline, resilience, confidence, positive peer networks, and meaningful aspirations for the future. It is designed as an early intervention pathway, keeping young people positively engaged during critical hours beyond the school day, and supporting preventative outcomes aligned with all of the council’s priorities around youth engagement, safeguarding, early intervention, and community safety.

Safeguarding, accountability, and partnerships are central to our approach. All of the coaches are already embedded within local schools carrying out football related activities, and as a result we are committed to ensuring the academy complements existing youth provisions rather than duplicating them.