LORD MAYOR OF WESTMINSTER BRINGS LOCAL BUSINESSES AND YOUTH ORGANISATIONS TOGETHER THROUGH FOOTBALL TOURNMENT DURING THE WORLD CUP SEASON TO RAISE MONEY FOR WESTMINSTER’S YOUNG PEOPLE
January 29th 2023
Community led teams from the Avenues and Fourth Feathers Youth Hubs and QPR’s Refugee Team were crowned champions at The Lord Mayor’s Cup finals drawing the inaugural fundraiser to a close
The Right Worshipful, The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Hamza Taouzzale, Young Westminster Foundation (YWF) and ProTouch SA brought together local businesses and community organisations through a football tournament to raise £6,500 for Westminster’s young people. The money raised will go towards the Westminster Brighter Futures Fund and The Lord Mayor’s Cup for Young People in May to support young people’s participation in football and sports in Westminster.
Held for the first time to mark the World Cup, 16 teams comprised of 12 local businesses and 4 community teams entered the knockout rounds of the tournament in November 2022. After some hard-fought victories, incredible team efforts and goals galore, four teams qualified for the final games for chance to win the Lord Mayor’s Cup or Plate.
On the 24th January, the finalists went head-to-head. Criterion Capital and Avenues Fourth Feathers Youth Hub battling it out in the Cup final and Veolia and Queen’s Park Rangers’ (QPR) Community Team making up the final for the Lord Mayors Plate. The teams put in heroic performances despite the sub-zero temperatures, the following players were recognised for exceptional play:
Player of tournament – Jevonte, The Avenues Youth Project
Female of tournament – Donna, Fourth Feathers Youth Club
Highest goal scorer – Noah, QPR Community Team
Avenues and Fourth Feathers Youth Hubs were champions of tournament and were presented with The Lord Mayor’s Cup and signed Chelsea FC ball.
QPR Community Refugee Team took home the Lord Mayor’s Plate and 10 x tickets to watch QPR men’s team.
Cllr Hamza Taouzzale, 23, the City’s youngest ever Lord Mayor and first from a Muslim and global majority background, led the award ceremony after the final games. Growing up on the Lisson Green Estate in Westminster, the Young Westminster Foundation Patron recalled football training being the highlight of his week. He spoke passionately about increasing young people’s access to sporting and arts opportunities in the community and advocates for more funding for youth services.
Sharing his thoughts on the final and tournament he said:
“I think football sport is one of the very few areas in life that is able to bring people together… a common ground that we all enjoy and open to all. The tournament has given young people a chance to network with businesses in Westminster.”
Despite finishing as runners up in the plate final, Jason Ives from Veolia said:
“We were privileged to be involved and raise money for such a great cause.
Something like this that brings businesses closer to the community that we work in is really positive and if we can have fun and get active whilst doing so then that is even better.
CEO of Young Westminster Foundation, Helen Mann, commented:
“The Lord Mayor’s Cup proved a fantastic way to raise funds and create opportunities that make a difference to the lives of young people and families in the borough. We were pleased to hear that the tournament led to new relationships between our corporate partners and local youth clubs. And people had lots of fun! Thank you to everyone who donated and took part”
The Lord Mayor hopes football fundraisers will become more regular in Westminster, with the World Cup leaving a legacy in the borough.
A huge congratulations to the winners, and all the teams who took part. Local young people and youth organisations can find out more about the upcoming Lord Mayor’s Cup for Young People by contacting info@youngwestminster.com
GET IN TOUCH TO FIND OUT MORE
General enquiries: info@youngwestminster.com
Press & partnerships: matira@youngwesminster.com
ABOUT YOUNG WESTMINSTER FOUNDATION
Young Westminster Foundation brings together youth organisations, young people, businesses, Westminster City Council, government, schools, funders and the wider community to create opportunities for Westminster’s young people. We’re part of a growing network of Young People’s Foundations (YPFs) established nationally by John Lyon’s Charity. Through working together at a local level, we hope to develop cross-sector solutions to some of London’s greatest challenges, including serious youth violence, emotional health & wellbeing and youth employability.
@YoungWestminstr
ABOUT PRO TOUCH SA
Pro Touch works to highlight the issue of increasing youth and sports participation among those who may not have access to, or interest in, a team or individual activity. The Pro Touch Academy helps, support and encourage potential young, gifted and talented football players to bridge the gap to and experience to professional football. The wider Pro Touch community supports young Londoners to be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic well-being.
protouchsa.co.uk / @protouchsa
