Club hosts youth charity for football tournament

Jack Smithson described Leicester City's facilities as "absolutely brilliant" and "unbelievable"

A charity football tournament was hosted at Leicester City's training ground for young adults who had recently completed personal development courses.

The Street Soccer Academy National Cup was held on Friday at Seagrave, with 18 to 30-year-olds who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, taking part.

The tournament marked the end of a 10-week course, which is delivered by the Street Soccer Foundation across the country in partnership with several football clubs, focusing on positive mindset training, employability skills and football coaching.

Keith Mabbutt said he established the foundation in 2015 to use football as a catalyst to tackle youth homelessness.

Mr Mabbutt, who played in his younger days for Millwall, Gillingham and Charlton Athletic, said he set out to "turn lives round through the power of football" after hearing a radio programme about rising youth homelessness.

Mr Mabbutt added the tournament was "a reward" for all the young adults who had committed to the programme, which is delivered in partnership with several football club's charities and community organisations.

The tournament welcomed 18 teams, with teams such as Leicester City, Liverpool and Derby County represented.

The teams were split into three groups, with four advancing to the semi-finals.

Everton in the Community's A team beat its B team 3-0 in the final to win the cup.

Eighteen teams competed in the competition, representing the football club charities and organisations that deliver the Street Soccer programme

Jack Smithson, originally from Sunderland, was helped by the foundation after he became homeless, and is now an ambassador for the charity.

He joined the Sunderland Street Soccer team while living in a hostel, describing his experiences as "difficult".

"There were challenges," Mr Smithson said. "But everyone faces challenges and that's what I kept reminding myself, just to keep moving forward and not fall into a deep hole.

"You have to be positive, especially in those situations because it's very easy to fall into bad habits and go back into a dark hole.

"I trained my mind, if I think of a negative, think of three positives that could be there, so that's what I always do now."

He is now an ambassador at the Street Soccer Academy and said the foundation had helped him "massively".

"I've met loads of people on their journeys and it's great to tell my story and hopefully that's a positive they can look towards as well," he said.

"It's one of those where I don't take every day for granted. I'm privileged and I feel it every day."

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