kickoffat3 10th july

National Finale 2022

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Kickoff@3 July 2002 was held in loving memory of Daniel De-Gale and the teams will be playing for the memorable ‘Daniel De-Gale Cup’.

Daniel suffered from a form of blood cancer and sadly passed away in October 2008. His parents set up the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT) to raise awareness about stem cell, blood and organ donation, with a focus of donors from African and Caribbean communities. Further information re their life-saving work can be found at www.aclt.org

Twenty six teams travelled from around the country to take part in this amazing football tournemant from ages 14’s and under 16’s with boys and girls competing, as inclusivity is key.

Trophies, medals and prizes where awarded to players to reward their hard work, enthusiasm and football skills.

Present on the day where numerous exhibitors and vendors on site, which included the RAF, ACLT, The Vine Cellar, Youth Unity, the Black Swimming Association (BSA) and the Metropolitan Black Police Association (Met BPA) who are also supporters and sponsors.

There was an amazing ‘Pop-up Runway’, a fashion show with local designers and a live DJ.

We have been running our national tournament for five years and our ethos is to support and empower young people whilst spreading awareness of multiple charities like ACLT. Alongside our football initiative, Kickoff@3, we have also delivered different events which involve basketball, running and music. These were aptly named ‘Tipoff@3’ and ‘Runoff@3’ among others. Additional initiatives are in the works, as we are forever looking at ways to engage young people in positive activities, as those previously have provided vast career opportunities and life skills to young people.

Some amazing interviews by Albert of the Racing Media Academy and Kickoff@3 volunteer Sammy 777

Great to see so many young people with a voice, as Kickoff@3 gives them their own World Cup experience.

Please click the link to download and access the clips

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/188WCy7Gkk2b_WMcmomV7KTsr7VAaJcVS?usp=sharing

PHOTO’s to follow

Herts Advertiser

Black History Month: ‘Why are we not being celebrated all year round?’

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As part of our celebration of Black History Month, we spoke to the co-founder of a youth organisation that supports development through the medium of sport.

Michael Wallace set up St Albans based non-profit organisation Kickoff@3 because he wanted to create more opportunities that young vulnerable people couldn’t always access.

Michael, who co-founded the initiative with Ashley Levien, explained: “The ethos of Kickoff@3 is to use the power of sport and music to spread key messages of hope and change across diverse groups.”

Michael said over the last four years the organisation has put on sport and music activities which have enabled the young people who attend the sessions to develop holistically, with many using Kickoff@3 as a springboard onto training courses, internships and employment. 

“Sometimes we receive letters saying how much we have helped them – we always try and keep in touch to follow their progress,” he explained.

He said Black History Month was a bit of a gesture: “Why are we not being celebrated all year round? I have experienced racism from childhood. We have come some way in our communities but there is still a lot of work to be done with the younger generation of black boys and girls.”

Michael, who is a serving Met Police officer, said he is driven by a passion to engage with all young people, not just those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“It is very challenging being a black police officer, especially in areas where there is serious youth violence, and it is hard at times to be accepted by various community sectors where you are genuinely trying to make a difference.”

“I understand the challenges that young people have in communicating with the police, not least around how to approach each other and the attitudes they hold, which is why I work tirelessly to help break down the barriers and form a better understanding and how we can all work to overcome these challenges.”

Source: https://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/youth-initiative-founder-discusses-equality-8426000

Editor: https://www.hertsad.co.uk/laura-bill-5152534