Recently the RAF Engagement Team and Air Cadets from Penge, Biggin Hill and Sidcup were proud to be present at the Kickoff@3 youth sports national football finals. The RAF has been a key sponsor of Kickoff@3 for four years.
Kickoff@3 is a registered non-profit organisation that works across the UK. It provides young people with access to formal sports training and opportunities to take part in organised competitions. Many of these young people come from challenging or disadvantaged backgrounds.
Over the last year more than a thousand young people have been competing for a place in the national finals held in Bromley, South London. It was an important day for the young sportsmen and sportswomen, and also a fundraiser for the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust charity.
The RAF is proud to support Kickoff@3. This non-profit organisation helps to focus young people on activities which promote personal health and wellbeing, whilst diverting vulnerable young people away from criminal and violent influences.
Flight Lieutenant Pirt from the RAF Engagement Team attended the event, saying:
Meeting these young people is a real eye-opener; they were displaying teamwork, camaraderie and sportsmanship despite their challenging backgrounds. It's obvious that this initiative has had a huge influence on their approach to life - and gives them a sense of purpose.
On the day, 14 teams from Belfast, Luton, Durham, Kent, Nottingham and London, battled it out. Hope FC from Croydon (managed by singer Roger Samuels of the Voice UK) lifted the under-17's trophy, and The Boys in Orange, from Peckham in South London, took home the under-14s trophy.
"I'm ecstatic that were able to bring diverse young people together from across the country, from as far afield as Northern Ireland, through the power of sport and education. I'm proud that The Royal Air Force are a sponsor and key partner, because this is not just about sport, this is about employment opportunities for these young people; they could be future pilots, doctors, and engineers. There could be a place for all of these young people in the RAF."
PC Michael Wallace
Co-founder and director of Kickoff@3
The RAF wishes PC Michael Wallace QPM and the Kickoff@3 organisers every success with next year’s competitions.
