June 18 – Manchester City has gathered 30 young leaders from its global outreach programme for a week-long summit at the City Football Academy in Manchester.
The summit programme is designed to enhance confidence and practical skills to help them run community football projects in their cities. All the attendees are under the age of 25.
Funded primarily by a £400,000 donation from the City Football Group as part of its Cityzens Giving programme, community initiatives have begun in Manchester, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, New York, Barranquilla (Colombia) and Cape Town. The programmes deliver a range of community projects addressing issues affecting young people, including gang crime, HIV, obesity and inactivity.
Tom Pitchon, Director of the City Football Foundation, said: “This summit epitomises the power of football to change lives. We’ve brought together young leaders from different backgrounds, speaking a number of different languages and yet they all share the same goal – to make a difference through football. We’re equipping them with the tools they need to go out and deliver life changing projects in their communities. I feel immensely privileged to connect with such an amazing group of young people and proud of what they’re achieving here in Manchester and around the world.”
Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli and Rugby World Cup winner Will Greenwood are among the stars who’ll be providing master classes, while other sessions will include social media training by the Club’s digital team and refreshing their coaching skills with the City in the Community team.
The week closes tomorrow with the young leaders delivering a football festival for 200 local school children.
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