PATHWAY SPORTS host their second London Challenge Cup this Easter. The tournament, staged in affiliation with the London Football Association, is intended to bring together young people from various communities across the capital through football.
Established in 2012 to provide pathways to more opportunities for young people of diverse communities to participate in sports generally and football in particular, the event has other benefits such as personal development activities, and attempts to discourage young people from crime and gang related activities.
Based in the Royal borough of Greenwich, Pathway Sports also has a football club which caters for 16-25 year-olds and 11-14 year-olds. The senior team are currently playing in Division Two of the South London Alliance League.
Those at the club say their mission “is to enrich the lives of youth in our communities through sports and other related activities.
“This tournament is not just about football but an avenue to engage the youth through a week of sports and personal development activities.”
“Through the activities that will be integrated in this tournament, we intend to help build a brighter future for our youth and make positive impacts in our communities.
“The tournament will focus on fairplay which is a fundamental part of the game of football. Most importantly, fairplay represents the positive benefits of playing by the rules, using common sense and respecting fellow players, referees, opponents and fans.
“We believe the fact that, if our youth can practice fairplay in an intense game of football, then they certainly can do the same off the field of play.
“If our youth can transfer and apply the ideology and discipline of fairplay into their homes, colleges, community and society in general, They can be dissuaded from social vices and feel a sense of responsibility thus enabling them to contribute positively towards building a better future for themselves and creating a better and safer society for all."
The tournament takes place on March 31 – April 2 at Meridian Sports and Social Club, Charlton Park Lane, London SE7 8QS. Kick-off is at 12noon through to 4pm. Entry is on a first come first served basis and registration (16 -21 year-olds) is FREE. Closing date for entries is March 10