Bukayo Saka's Generous Contribution
Arsenal and England winger Bukayo Saka has donated more than 100 pairs of football boots for Street Soccer Academy participants to wear on Football For Good Day this Sunday.
The boots from Saka’s recently released New Balance boot range will be worn by players competing in the Football For Good Day Trophy at the London Stadium.
The PFA Young Player of the Year is known to be passionate about giving back and providing opportunities for young people to have access to football and football equipment.
Impact on Street Soccer Academy Participants
He donated the boots after hearing about our work in helping to tackle youth homelessness and supporting young adults in finding work and training opportunities, through our flagship academy programme.
In recent weeks, the boots have been presented to players at the ten academies competing in the five-a-side Football For Good Day Trophy, with teams representing the football club community organisations that have hosted their academy courses for 18 to 30-year olds who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Reactions to the Donation and Ongoing Support
Keith Mabbutt, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Street Soccer Foundation, said:
The young people have been bowled over - we’ve seen disbelief, joy and generally a feeling that they can’t believe Saka has done this and shown his support for them in this way. They also get to keep the boots after the tournament, which they were so thankful for. Some were so excited to hear that Saka knows about the Street Soccer Academy and wants to show his support to those on the programme. Saka is the PFA Young Player of the Year and when you consider the Street Soccer Foundation exists to help others, particularly vulnerable and homeless young people, then to have the support of the best young player in the country - it’s frankly incredible.”
Football For Good Day and Commonwealth Youth Programme
Football For Good is a new project initiative created by Keith Mabbutt and the Street Soccer Foundation in support of the Commonwealth and the 2023 Year of Youth, in celebration of 50 years of the Commonwealth Youth Programme.
Young people taking part in the Football For Good Day tournament are from ten Street Soccer Academies held in partnership with: West Ham United Foundation, Chelsea FC Foundation, Sheffield United Community Foundation, Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, Hull City’s Tigers Trust, Everton in the Community, Sunderland FC’s Foundation of Light, Leicester City in the Community, Liverpool’s LFC Foundation and Salford City’s Foundation 92.
Tune in to the Football For Good Day Live Stream on Sunday, 19 November HERE.
Or donate to our cause by texting FFG plus the amount you’d like to donate to 70470. For example if you would like to donate £10 please text FFG 10 to 70470.