YouthWorks has teamed up with Active 24 to organise a World Cup themed youth inclusion project over the summer. The social enterprise has secured an exclusive sponsorship deal with Active 24, one of Europe’s leading web hosting companies, to organise a youth inclusion project timed to coincide with this year’s World Cup.
YouthWorks has teamed up with Active 24 to organise a World Cup themed youth inclusion project over the summer. The social enterprise has secured an exclusive sponsorship deal with Active 24, one of Europe’s leading web hosting companies, to organise a youth inclusion project timed to coincide with this year’s World Cup.
The Active 24 Five-a-side challenge has been devised and planned by YouthWorks and is aimed at some of London’s most disadvantaged young people. The football tournament will mirror the format of the World Cup, with 32 teams from across the London borough of Lambeth participating free of charge.
Active 24 is fully supporting the event and will donate prizes including £500 for the organisation represented by the winning team, trophy, medals and lots of fun. The company is also donating 20% of their sales during the period of the World Cup to the Vassall Ward Youth & Community Project, a Lambeth based charity.
Active 24’s tournament sponsorship is part of its wider www.WeAreTheChampions.co.uk campaign, a pan-European marketing drive which will take place throughout the summer to support local football communities and make everyone a champion!
Alongside the sport competition, Active 24 is sharing its knowledge and expertise about the Internet with the most deprived members of the community to encourage online initiatives and create new opportunities. The company is providing content and instructions to educate the youth communities and generate interest in online projects.
“Our aim is to bring awareness about the possibilities offered by the Internet and open people’s mind about the creation of websites and topical issues such as virus, emails etc… I am really excited about this football challenge and I hope the young people taking part really enjoy the tournament” said Patrick McCarthy, Commercial Director of Active 24
Saif Bonar, Director of YouthWorks added “Active 24’s sponsorship will allow YouthWorks to plan, organise and promote the event in ways which will let us reach some of the most deprived young people in Europe. We welcome the support from Active 24 and I am pleased they have had the confidence to work with a small social enterprise on such a major project.”
The Active 24 five-a-side challenge will feature over 1280 minutes of football - 64 matches of 10 minutes each way. More than 256 players will participate and a range of skills workshops and other activities will be provided.
The first stage will take place on Saturday 10th and Saturday 17th June at four pitches across Lambeth. The second stage and finals will all be held on Saturday 24th June, 1st July and 8th July at the Cowley Teenager Space in Cowley Estate.
All matches will be refereed by FA certified football coaches who have also been CRB checked. A broad range of other activities are also planned to allow as many young people as possible to participate.
Supporters are encouraged to come along to fly the flag for their local or national team!
1 - YouthWorks Limited is a social enterprise founded in April 2005. The company works to provide information and communication solutions to the youth and community sector. Its clients include London Metropolitan University and UK Youth. YouthWorks was short-listed for the Lambeth & Southwark regional Shell LiveWire Award in April 2006. More information about the company is available at http://www.ywks.org
2 - Active 24 is a leading network-independent provider of Internet hosting services in Europe. The company focuses on providing individuals and small to medium sized companies with complete and cost efficient Internet solutions that combine relevant, scalable and standardised products with exceptional user-friendliness. More information is available at http://www.active24.co.uk
3 - Saif Bonar is 26 years old and founder-director of YouthWorks Limited. He has previously worked for UK Youth and at the Millennium Dome where he was responsible for co-ordinating the Children’s Promise Day in the Dome which was attended by over 2,500 disadvantaged young people. Saif is a part-time student at London Metropolitan University where he is now completing his dissertation for the MSc in Information and Knowledge Management.
4 – Vassall Ward Youth Project is a registered charity #1047707. It works with young people from the 2nd most deprived ward in the London borough of Lambeth. It is located at 143-145 Brixton Road, London, SW9 6LZ.
Media Contacts:
Saif Bonar – Director, YouthWorks Limited – 07966 960 625
Patrick McCarthy – Commercial Director, Active 24 – 0207 854 6600
