Hounslow’s Celebration of Youth Leadership and Development Through Sport
By Alexandra Flores I Sport For Good
On 31st January, Generations Active Hounslow celebrated its next chapter of progress, building on the foundation laid by Model City London, which began six years ago as part of the Laureus Sport for Good Cities initiative.
Launched in 2018, Model City London has empowered communities in Hounslow, Barking and Haringey to use sport as tool for social change, with the support of Nike, Greater London Authority and Laureus Sport for Good. After six years the programme is now led entirely by the communities.
The Hounslow coalition, known as Generations Active Hounslow, brought young sports leaders and community organisations together to participate in workshop activities at Springwest Academy, showcasing the influence of projects funded via Model City London has had on young people’s lives through sport
"Model City was a platform for us, and we will continue to bring like-minded organisations together to collaborate in our community through sport and physical activity," said Lisa Graham, Trustee of Generations Active Hounslow.
Generations Active Hounslow has officially transitioned into an independent charity, leading the way for the next phase of sports-driven community development.
The Hounslow coalition, known as Generations Active Hounslow, brought young sports leaders and community organisations together to participate in workshop activities at Springwest Academy, showcasing the influence of projects funded via Model City London has had on young people’s lives through sport
"Model City was a platform for us, and we will continue to bring like-minded organisations together to collaborate in our community through sport and physical activity," said Lisa Graham, Trustee of Generations Active Hounslow.
Generations Active Hounslow has officially transitioned into an independent charity, leading the way for the next phase of sports-driven community development.
Personal Transformations Through Sport
Struggling with self-confidence, Kelsie, a 17 year-old A-level student who plays football explained how sport changed her life, "I found it very hard to integrate in society. I wouldn't even dream of speaking to a lot of people."
"Sport really changes you. It gives you the confidence to say, ‘I can do this’, if you put your mind to it," she added.
It’s been two years since she started working as a football coach for Sport Impact, a community organisation part of Generations Active Hounslow, leveraging her hidden leadership skills thanks to the support of mentors from the programme.
Now as a coach, she’s paying it forward, helping other young people in the community find purpose through sport.
"I started doing sport and everything just fell into place for me, everything has been going amazingly. I’ve built a lot of connections and have found many lifelong friends," the student said.
At the heart of Generations Active Hounslow’s celebration, Laureus Academy Member Tanni Grey-Thompson reflected on how sport plays a pivotal role in young people’s lives, "Sport can give you many things. It teaches you teamwork, how to win and lose and to plan and prepare objectives, skills that are important in life outside sport."
When Kelsie shared to the audience how coaches and mentors were important for her, Grey-Thompson couldn’t agree more: "Coaches are so crucial, they know how to challenge you to get the best out of yourself."
"Sport really changes you. It gives you the confidence to say, ‘I can do this’, if you put your mind to it," she added.
It’s been two years since she started working as a football coach for Sport Impact, a community organisation part of Generations Active Hounslow, leveraging her hidden leadership skills thanks to the support of mentors from the programme.
Now as a coach, she’s paying it forward, helping other young people in the community find purpose through sport.
"I started doing sport and everything just fell into place for me, everything has been going amazingly. I’ve built a lot of connections and have found many lifelong friends," the student said.
At the heart of Generations Active Hounslow’s celebration, Laureus Academy Member Tanni Grey-Thompson reflected on how sport plays a pivotal role in young people’s lives, "Sport can give you many things. It teaches you teamwork, how to win and lose and to plan and prepare objectives, skills that are important in life outside sport."
When Kelsie shared to the audience how coaches and mentors were important for her, Grey-Thompson couldn’t agree more: "Coaches are so crucial, they know how to challenge you to get the best out of yourself."
“When people imagined I couldn’t do it, I proved them wrong. Sport gives you the opportunity to change other people’s lives and perspectives."
The Power of Community and Support
Vijay Kumar, one of the coalition members from Generations Active Hounslow, dedicates his time through KO Club Trust to give new opportunities to young people through sport said: "My main ambition is to get the young out off the streets and introduce sport in their lives."
"I was involved in drug affiliations. I know the gang cultures. I've seen it all. I understand these children"
Having grown up facing struggles, he knows first-hand the importance in having strong support systems like KO Club Trust to change their paths.
"It’s easy for young people to get involved in bad habits, but sport helps to keep them out of that," said Grey-Thompson.
Kumar mentioned how sport has been a wakeup call for two participants, "They were involved in serious gang affiliation, but sport is space where they can release their anxieties and angers."
He underscored the importance of funding and guidance support from Laureus through Model City London, "We have under a hundred kids, and sometimes we can't cope with what they. Support is key to keep delivering sports to reach more children."
"I was involved in drug affiliations. I know the gang cultures. I've seen it all. I understand these children"
Having grown up facing struggles, he knows first-hand the importance in having strong support systems like KO Club Trust to change their paths.
"It’s easy for young people to get involved in bad habits, but sport helps to keep them out of that," said Grey-Thompson.
Kumar mentioned how sport has been a wakeup call for two participants, "They were involved in serious gang affiliation, but sport is space where they can release their anxieties and angers."
He underscored the importance of funding and guidance support from Laureus through Model City London, "We have under a hundred kids, and sometimes we can't cope with what they. Support is key to keep delivering sports to reach more children."
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Next Chapter for Generations Active Hounslow
Generations Active is committed to collaborating and co-designing with young people to provide access to effective support through sport, especially in the west of the borough.
In partnership with Sport Impact, they established the Young Leadership Academy, imparting sport leadership qualifications and courses, "We are really excited for the future and to see what else we can get out of it through leadership roles that will lead them to job or career paths," said Graham.
"If we work collectively, it will benefit the whole community," she added.
Kelsie hopes her personal transformation through the programme and football encourages other young people to explore what’s possible through sports.
"There’s sport for every single person and for all capacities. If you don’t have the skills, you can learn, as I did," said Kelsie.
To learn more about Generations Active and how to support their work, visit https://www.generationsactivehounslow.org.
In partnership with Sport Impact, they established the Young Leadership Academy, imparting sport leadership qualifications and courses, "We are really excited for the future and to see what else we can get out of it through leadership roles that will lead them to job or career paths," said Graham.
"If we work collectively, it will benefit the whole community," she added.
Kelsie hopes her personal transformation through the programme and football encourages other young people to explore what’s possible through sports.
"There’s sport for every single person and for all capacities. If you don’t have the skills, you can learn, as I did," said Kelsie.
To learn more about Generations Active and how to support their work, visit https://www.generationsactivehounslow.org.
