This past August, the Africa Community in Surrey & Sussex had the genuine pleasure of launching a pilot programme conceived to embody the spirit of togetherness and healthy activity: the Community Freeplay Football initiative. Our vision is to establish an inclusive, accessible, and thoroughly enjoyable programme, and this marked its exciting beginning.
The core mission was simple yet profoundly important: to create a welcoming space where children and young people, aged 5 to 16 and of all skill levels, could enjoy the world’s most popular game without any barriers, focusing on participation, friendship, and the simple joy of play.
This first session was led by the esteemed Coach Ainsley Brown, Director of the OMG Academy, whose expertise and passion for youth development brought fantastic energy to the pitch.
Our initial plan outlined a six-week schedule, and this first event was a brilliant success that filled us with optimism for what comes next. The energy was truly infectious, alive with laughter, mutual encouragement, and the triumphant cheers that accompany a well-struck ball. It was wonderful to witness the first connections of new friendships and the immediate growth in confidence amongst the participants.
We extend our deepest gratitude to every parent and guardian who placed their trust in us and registered their children to take part. Your belief in this initiative is its foundation. A special note of thanks is also reserved for our wonderful team of dedicated volunteers, whose time and effort ensured the session ran smoothly and safely for everyone.
The tremendous positive feedback and the engaged participation have only strengthened our resolve. This first session has provided invaluable insight and has powerfully demonstrated our community’s appetite for such an initiative.
This is just the start. We are absolutely committed to building upon this fantastic beginning and will be announcing future dates very soon.
For more information and to express interest in future sessions, please get in touch with us directly. Your involvement is what will make this programme a lasting success.
Thank you for being a part of this wonderful first step