News | Tuesday 27th April - SUNEE Street League Regional Match-day
The sunny weather set the tone for the day, as 13 teams from across the North East competed for a host of different trophies. As well as the football tournaments, there was a ‘crossbar challenge’, ‘football tennis’, a ‘hardest shot’ competition and a giant inflatable bungee run, which provided fun and embarrassment in equal measures!
The music blaring from the speakers added to the party mood, but it was the spirit of inclusiveness, enjoyment and fair play that made the day memorable. The majority of the teams had never met before, but this did not stop them creating a fantastic buzz of enthusiasm and excitement.
The regional matchdays only happen once every six months, and act as a reward for the clients’ commitment and dedication to the SUNEE Street League project. Participants in the project come from disadvantaged backgrounds such as homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse, unemployment and crime.
Robert Grainey, a Northumbria student volunteer working on the event, was convinced of the impact of the project: “SUNEE Street League’s a massive opportunity for people looking to get back into employment. It uses the power of football to give the clients education, employment and training. We even provide them with coaching badges if they want to go down that route. It’s a great opportunity for these guys.”
Callum Simpson, SUNEE Street League coach for the North, pointed out the visible success of the project. “There are a lot of individuals actually working here today who started off on the SUNEE Street League programme and have now gone into employment with us. Look around, you can see the effect it’s having on people.”
One such person who has achieved employment through SUNEE Street League is Carl Perry, who plays for Gateshead. “Today’s been brilliant, I try to get to as many as I can,” he said.
“The project’s opened my eyes to what I can do, because before I’ve just had jobs in warehouses and stuff. But now I’ve realised that coaching and helping people is what I want to do.”
“It’s improved my confidence loads. Basically, I started off volunteering and helping out, and now I’ve got a job. A bit of it is coaching, and it’s also going out into communities and schools and running projects there. It’s just something I really want to do.”
The story of Sunderland’s Louis Thornton is testament to the incredible opportunities that SUNEE Street League can offer. He has been invited to South Africa during the World Cup as a reward for his dedication to the project. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity isn’t it! I’ve been coming to Street League for about 8 or 9 months, and did some volunteering too,” he said.
“Then the coach asked me to come for an interview for South Africa, so I did and I got in. It was based on my good attitude, and because I turn up every week and I’m good with the lads.”
A positive attitude is at the heart of SUNEE Street League. “It’s not about ability and how good people are, it’s more about people’s commitment within the project and everyone getting on with each other,” Callum emphasised.
In-keeping with this ethos, there was a ‘Fair Play’ trophy, a ‘Best Attitude’ trophy and a ‘StreetLeague Star’ trophy as well. “Based over a 6 month period,” Callum expained, “StreetLeague Star is for a person who’s shown the best commitment and attitude within the project.”
The ‘Fair Play’ winners were Sunderland YMCA. Arthur Carolan, from the team, said: “Today’s been mint. It’s great because you’re constantly on the go. Even if you lose, you’re still playing in the plate competition. But it’s about more than just football isn’t it? All the other trophies are a really good idea.”
The trophy presentation signaled the end of a hugely enjoyable and inspiring day, a day that celebrated the immense value of the SUNEE Street League project.
Full results:
Cup winners – Sunderland
Cup runners up – Kickz
Plate winners – Next Best Thing
Plate runners up – Gateshead 1
SUNEE Street League Best Attitude – Michael McCabe
SUNEE Street League Star – Joe Telford
Fair Play winners – Sunderland YMCA
Hardest Shot – Lee Gallagher
Crossbar challenge – Thomas Ross
Article by Christopher Hay, SUNEE journalism Scholar, Newcastle University
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