The Premier League Charitable Fund has launched the Premier League Kicks Alumni survey, which aims to understand the impact that the Premier League's longest-running community programme has on participants.
As part of this campaign, we are telling the story of the programme through the voices of those who have taken part.
To complete the Alumni survey, click here.
For the last 14 years, Premier League Kicks has played a significant role in the life of Cabdi Shakur Mahamed.
He started his journey on the programme as a 10-year-old when, together with some school friends, attended Premier League Kicks sessions run by Aston Villa Foundation in Handsworth, Birmingham.
Now he is a youth and community officer at the Foundation, supporting, guiding and mentoring young people who are in the same position as he was.
This is his story.
"I remember turning up at Premier League Kicks with my friends, we didn't know what it was, all we knew was that is was free football.
"We went there just to have a good time and it turned out to be something that we did every day of the week.
"Premier League Kicks was a safe place to play. It helped me with my mental and physical wellbeing as well as providing me with different opportunities and career pathways.
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"I took part in Premier League Kicks until I was 16 before taking part in education programmes at West Bromwich Albion Foundation. That led me back to Aston Villa when I applied for a full-time job.
"Coaching as a career was not part of my thinking until I was 17 or so. One of my coaches suggested it to me and I've been on that pathway ever since.
"I have become more confident. I have come out of my shell a lot more, my ability to communicate with other people has improved.
"Without Premier League Kicks, I never would have been that interested in coaching. I have no idea what I would be doing. It's a very special programme. I would not be where I am today without it.
"The programme has put me in a position where I can make an impact on young people's minds and help them find a better way in life.
"To me, Premier League Kicks is a way to help local communities, not just through football but through mentoring and a variety of support networks.
"Handsworth is one of the most deprived areas in the country. I grew up there. There's not that many opportunities but Premier League Kicks staff showed everyone that turned up that there is a better way in life and that's had an impact on a lot of young people's journeys.
"If Premier League Kicks wasn't there to provide that guidance, a lot of the young people that I grew up with would have gone down the wrong pathway instead of choosing a better way.
"I'm in a job that I love and it's what I want to carry on doing, helping out the young people in my local community.
"Being relatable to the young people in the area, I can understand their struggles and I can help them.
"When I see a young person coming through and we help them, it's a very satisfying feeling.
"I was at the Premier League Kicks Cup last summer and that was a big moment for me. I played at a Kicks Cup when I was younger and I know the impact that it has on young people.
"A tournament like that shows young people what they're capable of. It shows them that no matter where you grew up, or what you've experienced in life, there's always opportunities."
Funded by the Premier League through the Premier League Charitable Fund, Premier League Kicks uses the power of football and sport to inspire young people to reach their potential, in some of the most high-need areas in England and Wales.
More than half a million people have benefited to date.
