The third annual Kickz awards have recognised some of those who have made the project so successful.Onlinebingo SE
The glittering ceremony highlighted some inspirational stories of teenagers, professional football club coaches, police and local authority staff who have gone beyond the call of duty to make their communities safer and transform young peoples' lives.
Kickz sees Premier League clubs - along with more in the Football League - work with their local police forces to engage with young people in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country.
The project is designed to reduce crime by giving disadvantaged youngsters purpose and pride through football coaching schemes in inner city areas - usually at times when street crime is most rife.
lavish event
From an initial pilot scheme five years ago, it has grown beyond all recognition. Now there are 112 projects nationwide, engaging with 45,000 young people whose lives have been changed for the better.
Currently 42 clubs are signed up, including 19 from the Barclays Premier League with Blackpool due to complete the set next season.
Kickz relies heavily on volunteer coaches who work closely with the police and youngsters and the latest awards ceremony was a chance to reward those who have shone the brightest over the past year.
The awards ceremony was held outside London for the first time with Villa Park playing host to a lavish event.
It kicked off with a performance by Manchester United Kickz M15 Drama Group and there was further entertainment from Aston Villa Kickz Cloud Breakerz, Sheffield United Kickz Street Dance Crew and Manchester City Kickz Connect 4.
And up-and-coming music star Talay Riley treated the audience to a three-song set.
fantastic event
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: "It was a fantastic event, the best yet. It was great having music and entertainment which added much more energy.
"And of course it was fantastic to see so many young people whose lives have been changed by Kickz which has taken off more than we could have ever expected.
"It stemmed from discussions about the cost of policing matches. We argued that the value of clubs to their local community was far higher than the police estimated so we decided to work together to make a real impact.
"From a simple initial idea, Kickz has grown enormously. There are now 112 projects run by 42 clubs and involving 45,000 youngsters.
The glittering ceremony highlighted some inspirational stories of teenagers, professional football club coaches, police and local authority staff who have gone beyond the call of duty to make their communities safer and transform young peoples' lives.
Kickz sees Premier League clubs - along with more in the Football League - work with their local police forces to engage with young people in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country.
The project is designed to reduce crime by giving disadvantaged youngsters purpose and pride through football coaching schemes in inner city areas - usually at times when street crime is most rife.
lavish event
From an initial pilot scheme five years ago, it has grown beyond all recognition. Now there are 112 projects nationwide, engaging with 45,000 young people whose lives have been changed for the better.
Currently 42 clubs are signed up, including 19 from the Barclays Premier League with Blackpool due to complete the set next season.
Kickz relies heavily on volunteer coaches who work closely with the police and youngsters and the latest awards ceremony was a chance to reward those who have shone the brightest over the past year.
The awards ceremony was held outside London for the first time with Villa Park playing host to a lavish event.
It kicked off with a performance by Manchester United Kickz M15 Drama Group and there was further entertainment from Aston Villa Kickz Cloud Breakerz, Sheffield United Kickz Street Dance Crew and Manchester City Kickz Connect 4.
And up-and-coming music star Talay Riley treated the audience to a three-song set.
fantastic event
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: "It was a fantastic event, the best yet. It was great having music and entertainment which added much more energy.
"And of course it was fantastic to see so many young people whose lives have been changed by Kickz which has taken off more than we could have ever expected.
"It stemmed from discussions about the cost of policing matches. We argued that the value of clubs to their local community was far higher than the police estimated so we decided to work together to make a real impact.
"From a simple initial idea, Kickz has grown enormously. There are now 112 projects run by 42 clubs and involving 45,000 youngsters.
"It has enabled the police to get involved in some communities which are very hard to reach. Some of these estates are among the toughest places in Britain but Kickz has enabled the police to get in and gain youngsters' trust.
"It has made a significant difference to their lives and given these youngsters focus and discipline and rigour - and hope. It is a great scheme which we hope will get even better."
The glitzy event was hosted by Sky Sports presenter Ben Shephard who was bowled over by the success stories on show.
He said: "It has been incredible. It is brilliant to see the Premier League involved in such a diverse community-based scheme.
"It reflects the huge impact Premier League clubs have within the local community and the difference they can make to young people.
"This was my first experience of Kickz and it has blown me away. It really does make a dramatic difference to youngsters who otherwise might well be living a life of crime or drugs but who now have a direction and purpose.
"Football breaks down barriers and you only need to look at someone like Eddie Afekafe to see tangible proof of the impact of Kickz."
eloquent speech
Four years ago Afekafe was unemployed in a tough part of Manchester where crime rates were higher than average and many of his contemporaries roamed the streets in gangs.
However he joined Manchester City's community programme, gained his football coaching badges and started work on Kickz, helping out three nights a week.
At these sessions he developed new skills, confidence and self-esteem and eventually found a full-time post with City in the Community, helping hundreds of other young people to realise their potential.
He shot to prominence in December when he fronted England's 2018 World Cup bid alongside Prince William, Prime Minister David Cameron and David Beckham.
Although his eloquent speech failed to persuade FIFA to award England the World Cup, he won worldwide praise for his account of how Kickz had changed his life.
And that was acknowledged at Villa Park where he received a Special Recognition award for his great work in promoting Kickz as an ambassador for the 2018 bid.
truly humbling
He said: "To receive something like this is truly humbling. For me to be selected from the 45,000 people Kickz has helped is quite overwhelming. I am flabbergasted but overjoyed.
"It is amazing to think that I was even considered, let alone to have won it and it has crowned an unbelievable year for me.
"My life has changed around so much and it is all down to Kickz. I began as a volunteer with a bleak outlook and it is scary to think where I might be now if I had not got involved. I would probably still be struggling to raise my own aspirations and to find role models within my own community.
"Instead it has led to all sorts of overwhelming opportunities - and I am far from the only one to benefit. My story embodies what hard work and dedication can achieve. Kickz really does change lives.
"It brings together kids from different areas and rival gang areas and they play football as a united community. Street politics get left at the door and that's very rare and powerful.
"I know I have surprised a lot of people on my journey - most of all myself! I have proved I can be a better person and I am determined not to waste my life. I would encourage others to never give up."
remarkable performance
Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott presented the award and said: "I am delighted for Eddie to get this recognition. He works tirelessly for City's Community scheme and always has a smile on his face.
"He has long been appreciated in Manchester - by both United and City - for his hard work and now he is known nationally thanks to his remarkable performance at the World Cup bid. I am so pleased for him and for all the other winners.
"It was a great occasion and it was nice to see so many volunteers and participants being rewarded for their efforts which are so vital to Kickz which does so much good work keeping people off the streets and out of trouble."
Top Premier League referee Martin Atkinson also works as a policeman and knows the importance of projects like Kickz in reducing teenage crime.
He said: "I have been hugely impressed by Kickz and I have learned so much about how it can help to change the lives of youngsters.
"It is something I will be taking back to my bosses in West Yorkshire to see if we can develop it there. In addition to my refereeing duties, I also work in a referral unit one day a week helping youngsters who have issues in mainstream school and need more help and attention.
"Schemes like Kickz have a massive impact in helping to build up trust between youngsters and the police. Football is a great way of breaking down barriers and helping them to see you as a person not a uniform.
"It has been great to see so many success stories at these awards which have been a fantastic event thanks to the hard work of all those involved and to the backing by Barclays and other partners whose support is so vital."
incredible journey
One of the awards was presented by former Eastenders actress Brooke Kinsella who became a passionate campaigner against knife crime after her brother Ben was stabbed to death in June 2008.
Since then Brooke has worked tirelessly for the Ben Kinsella Trust and in her role as a Government advisor on knife crime.
She said: "It has been really tough but it is something I had to do. It is something I feel very passionate about and I have learned a huge amount. It has been an incredible journey.
"This is the first time I have got involved with Kickz but it is now one of my favourite projects. It is brilliant.
"It really does change lives and with 45,000 kids now taking part, it can have a huge positive impact. Hopefully it will get the funding to become even bigger and better because schemes like this can have a real effect and make a big difference to people's lives."
Kickz winners 2011
Outstanding Volunteer of the Year award - Chris Groom, Brighton and Hove Albion
Inspiring Person of the Year award (17+) - John Keyes, Arsenal
Outstanding Police Contribution award
Non-London - Inspector Colin Lewis and PC Greg Clarkson, Everton and Liverpool
London - Inspector Richard Dean Fulham
Beyond Kickz award - Bettering Life Behind Bars, Reading
Outstanding Partner Support award - Cestria Community Housing, Sunderland
Inspiring Person of the Year award (12-16)
Male - Jake Keegan, Reading
Female - Nicole Webley, Brighton and Hove Albion
Alternative/Non-football award - Millwall Kickz Fashion project
Football Achievement award - Arsenal Kickz Community team
Outstanding Kickz Delivery of the Year award - Arsenal in the Community
Special Recognition award - Eddie Afekafe, Manchester City
Volunteer Award (Ages 16 - 25)
• Jabari Edwards - Arsenal
• Awad Ali - Aston Villa
• Bradley Patterson - Barnet
• Luke Stanley - Birmingham City
• Matthew Thompson - Blackburn Rovers
• Perry Torkington - Bolton Wanderers
• Shaun Preddie - Brentford
• Chris Groom - Brighton & Hove Albion
• Abdul Turay - Charlton Athletic
• Danielle Frost - Chelsea
• Roxcy Clottey - Crystal Palace
• Charley-Ann Loving - Dagenham & Redbridge
• Stephen Byrne - Derby County
• Danny Wilson - Everton & Liverpool
• Adrian Nosworthy-Browne - Fulham
• Phil Beney - Hull City
• Charles Perkins - Leyton Orient
• Tom Hakes - Manchester City
• Ali Hanif - Manchester United
• Paulysus Zyuvkas - Middlesbrough
• Kwame Mensah - Millwall
• Adam Summers - Newcastle United
• Heidi Ward - Norwich City
• Declan Barker - Nottingham Forest & Notts County
• Rofique Miah - Oldham Athletic
• Rhys Shiner - Plymouth Argyle
• Louis Faith - Portsmouth
• Basil Yaslam - Queens Park Rangers
• Phil Waters - Reading
• Mohammed Kabadeh - Sheffield United
• Mohamed Mohamoud - Southampton
• Steve Scott - Southend United
• Courtney Franklin - Stoke City
• Ashleigh Mitchinson - Sunderland
• Adam Defriend - Tottenham Hotspur
• Dean Smith - Watford
• Alando Lewis - West Bromwich Albion
• Josh Reinbach - West Ham United
• Paul Card - Wigan Athletic
• Demi Yates - Wolverhampton Wanderers