Nightlife Football Tournament 2023

About

Nightlife is North Kensington's biggest annual youth and community football tournament. The annual event has evolved from paying tribute to two of our young footballers who were tragically lost in the Grenfell Tower Fire into a positive activity during half term that promotes mental and physical wellbeing, as well providing a space to make new friends in a safe environment. It brings the community, together as families and friends come to support the young players.

The event is supported by the Metropolitan Police, Chelsea FC Foundation, QPR Community Trust, Everyone Active Westway Sports & Fitness Centre, Nike and SOCCER2UOs.

Nightlife 2023

Nightlife took place on 26 October 2023 at Westway Sports & Fitness Centre.

A new generation of young players from Kensington and Chelsea and neighbouring boroughs showcased their skills, talent and ability by participating in an all-day tournament 11am to 11pm.

Participants are encouraged to make healthier life choices and compete for a visit to Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge whilst enjoying free food, refreshments and free hair cuts.

Impact

557 people

attended the 2023 Nightlife football tournament

360 football players

entered the tournament

52 teams

participated in the event

48 medals

awarded

6 tournaments

took place

114 spectators

attended the event

6 partners

supported the event

2,000 treats

were provided

75 staff & volunteers

supported the event

8 Youth Advisory Board members

engaged with and supported the event

Aims & objectives

To provide young people with a space to make new friends
To improve young people’s mental health through engagement in sport
To give the opportunity for players to get scouted at Nightlife
To improve young people’s physical health and encourage young people to make healthier lifestyle choices

Feedback

“Chelsea FC Foundation are once again proud to be associated with the annual Nightlife tournament, which demonstrates our commitment to work alongside Youth Action Alliance to provide competitive opportunities for young people to showcase their skills.”

— Gareth Davies, Social Inclusion Manager, Chelsea FC Foundation

“It’s really good, it keeps the children off the streets, it’s good for mental health and it’s really good that it’s not just the male side it’s the females getting involved, but what I would like to see is that there’s more females next year. Come on, we’re rooting for the funding! ”

— Parent at Nightlife

“The Met see the annual Nightlife tournament as a great opportunity for us to engage with the youths that turn up to play, and use this opportunity to help build trust and confidence with them, and support our other partners to ensure we deliver an enjoyable day for everyone in a safe and supportive environment.”

— John Josephs B.E.M, Met’s PL Kicks Coordinator, Metropolitan Police Service

FT, 16 year old boy, Nightlife participant

FT is a 16-year-old participant from Kensington & Chelsea who has been engaging in regular football sessions through the YAA Kicks programme and is actively involved in tournaments and our events.

Despite being an active YAA member, his schooling experience presents quite differently. By his own admission (which is supported by his parents), FT was struggling to positively engage with school. He displayed behaviour that was of concern and appeared to be escalating. His absence from school and home also began to increase to the point where he was thought to have gone missing for short periods of time. This contributed to a tension-filled environment at home, where his parent’s anxieties for his well being grew.

“
“It was a mad time for me, and sometimes it still is””

— FT, 16

One place anyone could count on FT always being, was at our football sessions. It was clear that football was a protective factor for him, as well as being a large part of his own long-term goal of becoming a professional footballer. Coaches could also see the passion FT possessed for the game, and they regularly had one-to-one conversations with him to support him. As much as his presence was valued at these sessions, there were still major concerns regarding his safety, which was highlighted by many of the adults in his life. To manage these worries, FT was given an ultimatum by his parents – if his conduct did not improve, he would no longer be allowed to attend the YAA Kicks programme.
“As with a lot of young people in this community, it was a challenging time for him. We wanted to remind him of what he could lose and what he brings to the table” – George Bournous, Senior Youth Inclusion Officer, Chelsea FC Foundation
He spoke about these difficulties and his feelings to the YAA Kicks coaches who reminded him of his talent and how his current actions could get in the way of potential opportunities. With the timing of the football trials and his upcoming GCSE’s, FT had a big decision on his hands.
With more positive encouragement from the coaches and YAA project staff, who also regularly communicated with his parents, FT was invited to multiple trials and is working towards a scholarship opportunity. His team also voted him the captain for the Nightlife Tournament which showed how much of a role model he was to the younger players, he took the responsibility seriously and carried the team to victory and won their age group.
He is now back to regularly attending YAA Kicks and successfully finishing his last year of secondary school, with a marked increase in school attendance during his last term.
“These coaches are here every week without fail – it's no wonder they’re so important to so many kids around here. They are safe here.” - FT’s Mum
YAA congratulated him for his successes and continue to engage with him.