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They are the champions: but South Hampstead’s coaches must now re-apply for their jobs |
Club cries foul at funding cut
Breeding ground for Premiership stars faces loss of its coaching sessions
FROM nurturing Premiership stars of the future to helping cut youth crime, South Hampstead Football Club has been a success story for many years.
But this year’s champions of the Regent’s Park football league are facing swingeing cuts to coaching sessions after Camden Council slashed funding – putting the future of the table-topping club in doubt.
Based in Kilburn’s Grange Park, the club provides school holiday training as well as three after-school sessions for about 50 footballers. Players have gone on to sign youth contracts with Spurs, Arsenal and Queens Park Rangers.
Now, vital holiday sessions are due to be axed – with the council blaming the withdrawal of support from “external funders”, which it says have bankrolled the club in the past.
But coaches have warned that, without guaranteed work during the holidays, they will not be able to afford to continue with weekday sessions. Coaches have been told they must re-apply for their jobs, which will have new contracts.
The news comes as the New Journal revealed two weeks ago that basketball coach Zac Roswell, based at Talacre Sports Centre in Kentish Town, has been told that Town Hall cuts put his sessions in doubt.
Liz Abrahams, whose son Tanasheh, 14, has been snapped up by Tottenham Hotspur, said her son had been going to the South Hampstead club since he was 10.
“It has, apart from everything else, given him somewhere physically to play,” she said. “We live in a flat and it is the same for so many other young people here. They can’t play football in the streets.”
The three coaches were “inspirational”, Ms Abrahams said. “Coach Martin Lovejoy is super at getting the children involved,” she added. “If these boys weren’t playing football, they’d be joining a gang.”
Mum Sarah Michael, whose son is a club member, added her praise of the coaches. “They help raise self-esteem, offer friendship and are superb male role models.” she said.
A council spokeswoman said: “As a result of cuts in external funding, the council is having to review some football sessions provided in the holidays by the sports development team.
“The regular term-time South Hampstead football group sessions will continue as normal. The summer holiday sessions will continue but may be reduced. The council is working hard to secure additional funding to allow all existing activities to continue.
“If we are unable to find alternative funding or resources to continue these sessions we will provide extra tournaments and competitions through the summer holidays.” |
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