As a player who grew up in north London and came through the Tottenham Hotspur Academy, Harry Kane felt an affinity and a sense of pride when he saw how the club’s community organisation, the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, helps local youngsters with the Premier League Kicks programme.
Kane was attending a Kicks session held by the Foundation in the shadow of the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It accompanied the launch of a three-year partnership between the Premier League, City Hall and the Metropolitan Police to enhance the delivery of the social-inclusion programme in London.
"It's just beautiful" 😊#PLKicks participants past and present come together with @SpursOfficial legends to show their love for the programme pic.twitter.com/FghBzp2LT5
— PL Communities (@PLCommunities) August 15, 2019
Sustaining positive change
Spurs were one of four clubs to pilot Kicks in 2006 and since then have continued to provide free coaching sessions and workshops for young people, helping to create, deliver and sustain positive change.
Aimed at youths aged between eight and 18, Kicks gives participants access to free football sessions and activities, as well as workshops which support and educate.
"As a local lad, and someone who has played for Tottenham Hotspur since the age of 16, I am very proud of my club and what it’s achieved through Kicks," said Kane, who was joined at the session by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
"Having access to play football, or any sport regularly, is important not just to improve your physical health, but your mental health as well.
"It's been a pleasure visiting today’s session, and I hope the youngsters that I have met go on to achieve great things in their lives."
Kicks at 69 clubs across UK
Spurs are one of 15 club community organisations in London who can apply for funding to run the programme. Overall 69 clubs across the country deliver Kicks in local communities.
"We are passionate about providing young people with pathways and opportunities to play sport in a safe environment and equipping them with transferable skills which will help them have a positive future," said Sarah Ebanja, Tottenham Hotspur Foundation Chief Executive.
