“It makes me feel happy that I have something worth doing instead of being on the streets” said Jamie Sharp (below right), a participant in the “KICKZ” project. Formed in 2004, KICKZ is an organisation in the local community that aims to promote a positive image for young people aged 11 to 18 by providing opportunities for them to learn new footballing skills, work towards a coaching qualification and learn the importance of teamwork and self-discipline.

Jamie is currently one of many participants taking part in sessions provided by Chelsea “KICKZ” Project (based in the Henry Prince Estate area) – he is taking up the opportunity to gain skills and a possible career in coaching.

The “KICKZ” project also allows children to regularly taking part in competitive matches and local tournaments. He enthusiastically added “being passionate about something so easily accessible is really helpful for us kids around here, it takes away time where we could be doing things much less beneficial to our future and replaces those things with very real opportunities”. KICKZ coaches first described Jamie as a stubborn hot head, but now Coach Lee Waters has praised Jamie’s transformation: “He’s now a calm cool head who can teach hot heads!”

Based on information supplied by Aaron McCann.