In working towards its vision, the charity has identified sports such as Football as an
activity that binds diverse communities across multiple generations whilst improving
mental and physical health. The charity has studied the models of community
engagement with young people using Football in Hungary by the Lion Empire
Football Club. It provided high quality football and recreational activities which acted
as a platform for tackling racism, mental health and gender equality. The club
boasted a multi-cultural team with over 20 different nationalities. The founder of the
club Karma Sharma has now embarked on establishing a similar model of
engagement and upliftment via football in Leicester by establishing the Leicester
Lions Football Club.
Charity Programs
The charity is partnering with the Leicester Lions Football Club to establish a
pathway of youth and talent development in Leicester. As the club will be joining the
English Football League, it will need a base and we are excited to be part of
unlocking the potential that the unused playing field (football pitch) at Evington Park
will offer as a base not just for the club but for the community and development
programmes of the charity.
The Evington Park has a football pitch, which is now in disrepair with an uneven
playing surface and neglected goal posts. This inhibit quality football and the
enjoyment of football that young people need. Due to lack of resources and
investment, this local facility acts as a deterrent and deprives Evington and the East
of Leicester youth of the benefits of recreational enjoyment and the community
benefits that a well-invested facility offers.
Opportunities
The charity in partnership with the Leicester Lions Football Club intends to change
this and unlock the potential of the Evington Park facility and provide much needed
sports and recreational space for Leicester youth. We and the club see our role as
community enablers with responsibility to be influential role models for others,
teaching respect and understanding of others. This will reduce discrimination
between races and genders. An enhanced and redeveloped Evington Park Football
pitch will encourage and support the talented young players to enter into elite
football. This will be visible demonstration of equality and commitment to kick racism
out of sport. Young people will get opportunities to learn footballing skills and learn
the game better. They will learn the competitive and team spirit that football nurtures.
Pure Education for Children's
On a non-football aspect, we know that many young people have suffered with lack
of social contact and physical activity during the pandemic. Many suffer from low
mental health and many have lost the opportunity to build social and other life skills.
This collaboration and project will help tackle all of these issues by embedding a
community development pathway into the Football activity. This will benefit people in
Evington, East of Leicester and the whole of Leicester.
For the collaboration to succeed and for realising the numerous benefits of this
venture, we require your support to facilitate the acquisition of the use of the
Evington Park Football Pitch. We also need your moral support and guidance, as we
recognise that everyone can play their part. We will work collaboratively with local
statutory, community, corporate and public stakeholders to attract investment in this
venture, but with your support we will make this dream and vision a reality.
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