Saturday 9th August 2025
Over 300 people came together at Bridgestone Arena for this year’s Stonebridge Family Fun Day, celebrating unity, heritage, and community spirit. The event was a brilliant mix of old friends reconnecting and new connections forming between generations of former and current Stonebridge residents, with a warm, welcoming atmosphere that reflected the heart of Stonebridge.
A variety of stalls and delicious food kept the crowds fuelled, with the JRF Team delivering free health checks, ensuring the day was not just about fun but also about well-being. Young children were kept entertained from start to finish with activities and games designed to keep them smiling and engaged all day.
Former residents of Stonebridge shared how important days like this are. Many reflected on how they have lost many people along the way, and how events like these give the community a chance to catch up, reconnect, and honour those no longer with us.
One of the most touching moments was the Remembrance Roll Call, paying tribute to those who are unfortunately no longer with us. Throughout the day, many guests also took part in community engagement questionnaires, helping to shape future events and initiatives.
It was a day for the community where generations connected over food, music, games, laughter, and good vibes which epitomises what Stonebridge is all about.
Sunday 27th July 2025
On Sunday, Bridgestone Arena played host to an exciting all-girls football tournament, bringing together eight local teams for a day filled with energy, teamwork and competitive spirit.
Ladies travelled from as far a Birmingham to take part in the well organised tournament.
The matches were close throughout, with the final going all the way to an exciting penalty shoot-out, setting the tone perfectly for what was to come later in the evening.
Just hours after the tournament concluded, the Lionesses went on to win the UEFA Women’s EUROs final in similar fashion, defeating Spain in a dramatic penalty shootout to retain their title, much to the jubilation of the girls watching.
The day ended with the girls and their families coming together to watch the final, creating a great sense of community and celebration.
Jason Roberts Foundation CEO Otis Roberts said after the event:
“It was a brilliant tournament and a great day for the girls, The groups who organised the event really brought the community together. Seeing the girls’ passion on the pitch and then watching the Lionesses make history later on, that’s what it’s all about. Huge congratulations to them for continuing to inspire girls of all ages.”
What an exciting month it’s been for Brent residents of all ages. From an International Walking Football Invitational, a Careers Fair with a focus on girls’ aspirations, a trip to Wimbledon Tennis, a Girls’ Football Tournament with a screening of the UEFA Women’s EUROs final, and a trip to the Kia Oval for the Women’s T20 Blast Final.
Watch the great video overview compiled by young Media Man Marley and enjoy especially the brilliant reaction from the girls’ to our Lionesses fantastic Euro’s win!
Brent Hosts First-Ever International Walking Football Invitational: A Celebration of Community, Culture and the Power of the Game.
Despite the rain, spirits soared in NW10 on Sunday 20th July as the first International Walking Football Invitational Competition took place at Bridgestone Arena, hosted by Walking Football Caribbean in association with the Jason Roberts Foundation (JRF). Supported by the Premier League and the Professional Footballer’s Association (PFA) through the Players’ Project Pilot, the day brought together over 120 attendees, including teams, volunteers, families, and local community leaders, for a celebration of football’s power to connect generations and cultures.
A Day of Firsts
Teams travelled from across the UK and beyond, with one of the standout moments being the arrival of Somalia’s first-ever international walking football team, a historic milestone warmly acknowledged by all in attendance. From the outset, the energy was high. Teams gathered in the Bridgestone Arena hall to kick off the day with a welcome speech from Jason Roberts, founder of the JRF and former Premier League striker. His message was clear: “This is about community, purpose, and using the game we love to unite and uplift.”
Jason’s presence was a highlight for many. As one participant put it, “It’s inspiring that a player of his stature comes down and supports us it means the world.” That sentiment set the tone for a day grounded in inclusivity, dignity, and joy.
The Players’ Project in Action
The Players’ Project Pilot, backed by the Premier League and PFA, was at the heart of the event. Designed to empower current and former players to use their platforms to give back, the initiative was brought to life through Jason’s active involvement not just as a figurehead, but as a present and engaged host, walking the pitch, talking to teams, and handing out medals and caps.
Jason reflected at the end of the day:
“I’ve learned so much from today. Watching the older generation enjoy the game, seeing the camaraderie, the connection it really is special. This is what the Players’ Project is all about: using the blessings football gave me to create social change and support communities.”
Football, Friendship, and Purpose
While the competition was fierce, with England teams taking home the trophies in both the Over 50s and Over 60s categories, the true victory was in the connections formed. For many, walking football is not just a sport, it’s a lifeline, a way to maintain health, rediscover identity, and find fellowship in later life.
Players shared how walking football has helped them combat isolation, recover from illness, and regain a sense of purpose.
Legacy and Impact
As part of the tradition of Walking Football Caribbean, the day concluded with the annual presentation of player caps, this year handed out by Jason himself.
Otis Roberts, CEO of the Jason Roberts Foundation, summed it up perfectly:
“Thanks to the Premier League, the PFA, and the Players’ Project, we’re able to create moments like this. To bring players from far and wide, from all walks of life, and unite them through football it’s brilliant and I can’t thank them enough.”
Watch a rousing rendition by the competing teams of “Sweet Caroline” at the end of the video overview here https://vimeo.com/1103070591
Saturday 5th July 2025
A group of eight children who are regularly coached by Leeta through the Jason Roberts Foundation’s (JRF) Tennis programme, were treated to a trip to the Wimbledon Championships on Saturday, thanks to the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) donating ten tickets to the charity group, through StreetGames as part of the LTA Serves programme.
Tennis coaches Leeta and Rui accompanied the children to Court No. 2 where, throughout the day they enjoyed being amongst the throng of spectators of the Ladies singles match, Men’s singles, and Men’s doubles, where British duo Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash went through to the second round after they beat American Vasil Kirkov and Dutchman Bart Stevens in straight sets.
The children who live in Brent, would not ordinarily have the opportunity to play tennis however, several years ago, Leeta raised money to start a tennis group through the JRF, and after receiving her tennis coaching qualification, Leeta has expanded the programme into local schools as well as at the JRF hub.
The lucky group who enjoyed a trip of a lifetime to the Wimbledon Championships train with Leeta most weeks, and two of them have now won scholarships with a tennis club and coach.
In addition to the matches on Court No 2, the children were able to visit Centre Court and enjoyed some themed activities, as well as a bite to eat at a local restaurant, before journeying home in the JRF minibus.
Leeta commented; “Thanks to StreetGames providing local groups with tickets donated through the LTA Serves programme, the children were given the opportunity to connect with the world of elite tennis, adding great value to community initiatives. It has certainly inspired them to keep practicing and perhaps in the future, we will see one or two of them competing in the Championship.”
From the smiles on the children’s faces and their enthusiastic recollection of the matches they watched, it was clearly an unforgettable day at one of the biggest events in the sporting calendar.
Enjoy a video overview of the day here https://vimeo.com/1100014235
View the video overview of all the Events & Activities that have taken place during June at the JRF!
In early June, the Regal team visited Bridgestone Arena, the home of the Jason Roberts Foundation (JRF) as part of their ongoing commitment to support and uplift local communities. Over the course of five days, staff and contractors worked together to transform both the exterior and interior of the centre, leaving a lasting impact on the facility and those who use it.
The team began by clearing a long-blocked fire exit and repairing and repainting the boards around the popular 5-a-side pitch. These essential safety and maintenance improvements were followed by a striking upgrade to the front of the building, giving the entrance a much more welcoming and refreshed appearance.
Inside, the transformation continued with the installation of brand-new carpet throughout the education, library, and media rooms, spaces that are regularly used by community groups, young people, and partner organisations. The new flooring has significantly improved the environment, providing a brighter, cleaner, and more inspiring space for learning and creativity.
Founder of the JRF, Jason Roberts, MBE expressed his gratitude for their work:
“Gestures like this don’t come every day from local companies. I’d like to say a big thank you to Regal and their partners and contractors, including Daniel Frett, Project Lead, and Ellie Boyle, Senior Site Manager, Regal, for thinking about supporting local community centres like ours. This will make a massive difference to the look and feel of the space, and it’s a lovely surprise as we head into the summer months.”
Ellie Boyle, Senior Site Manager, Regal said:
“We were proud to support the Jason Roberts Foundation in their work to enhance the Bridgestone Arena, helping deliver real improvements for the local community. At Regal, we take our role in the community seriously and are always looking for meaningful ways to make a positive impact in the areas where we work. This wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and generosity of our project partners, thank you to R Sees Flooring Company Ltd, PCE Limited, Oakwoods Skips, London MEP Group Ltd, and MadiganGill for your support.”
The Jason Roberts Foundation is proud to collaborate with organisations like Regal that recognise the value of community spaces and take meaningful action to invest in them.
A video overview of the works undertaken by Regal & their partners can be viewed here https://vimeo.com/1101154445
Friday 20th June 2025
The Players’ Project Pilot supported by the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association, continued its powerful community journey with a memorable visit to Lyon Park Primary School, where football legend and former England international Rachel Yankey spent the day inspiring young people from four local schools.
Excitement filled the air as both boys and girls eagerly gathered on the pitch, thrilled to meet Rachel. The day began with Rachel warmly greeting the students, offering words of encouragement focused on one simple but powerful message: have fun.
One of the day’s standout moments came when Coach Annis a current PE teacher from Elsley Primary school approached Rachel with a story. He shared that, nearly two decades ago, he had been a participant in one of Rachel’s sessions at Mitchell Brook Primary School. With some hesitation, he asked if she remembered him and to everyone’s delight, Rachel did. It was a full-circle moment that reflected the long-lasting impact of community engagement and mentorship.
From there, the tournament kicked off. With many of the teams proudly wearing kits, given to them by the Premier League, the competition was high. Great goals, impressive skills, and strong teamwork were on full display. Rachel was actively engaged on the sidelines, applauding the young players and celebrating the spirit of the game. She highlighted how encouraging it was to see both boys’ and girls’ teams out on the pitch playing together, having fun, and showing respect.
The day concluded with an inspiring Q&A session led by Rachel and a group of young girls. The questions were thoughtful and mature, ranging from “What were some setbacks you faced?” to “What made you fall in love with football?” Rachel answered each with honesty, offering the girls valuable insights and encouragement.
We then caught up with a group of girls from Lyon Park Primary who shared how impactful it was to meet someone like Rachel. They spoke about how she gave them belief in themselves, and how inspiring it was to have a professional footballer someone from their own community visit and speak directly to them.
To close, Sean Moran, Assistant Head Teacher at Lyon Park, reflected on the day:
“It’s so important for our young people to meet someone like Rachel, someone who grew up locally, shares their background, and has achieved so much. It shows them what’s possible. Today was a great day for all the schools involved.”
From inspiration to action, this player-led initiative continues to put young people at the heart of everything, not just through presence, but through purpose. Each visit, each conversation, and each activity is shaped by the players themselves, their ideas, their experiences, and their desire to give back to their community.
Wednesday 18th June 2025
What a day it was as The Players’ Project Pilot continued its powerful journey, this time with Zesh Rehman and 17-year-old Yahya Idrissi stepping into the heart of the local community at Bridgestone Arena to connect with over 100 young people through football, conversation, and shared experience.
The Players’ Project Pilot which is supported by the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) aims to build stronger connections between players, communities and football clubs by putting players at the heart of local projects that help tackle inequalities, raise aspirations, develop thriving communities, and inspire positive change.
For Zesh, the moment held deeper meaning. “It’s been almost 20 years to the day that I used to come here for pre-season,” he reflected. “Now I get to pass that energy on.” A full circle moment for the former Premier League defender, whose journey from local pitches to the highest level has paved the way for the next generation.
Alongside him was Yahya Idrissi, a rising talent at just 17, who took time out of his own pre-season to engage with the youth, not just with advice, but on the pitch too. He jumped into 1v1s, took part in challenges, and gave the young people someone they could relate to, both as a player and as a person navigating the journey they’re just beginning.
The day also gave us the chance to meet Yahya’s father, Abdul, who spoke with pride and purpose about how vital it is for players to stay connected with their communities, not just for the benefit of the young people, but for the players themselves. “It keeps them grounded,” he shared. “It reminds them who they’re doing it for.”
Also present was Riz Rehman, PFA Player Inclusion Executive, who reinforced the importance of players staying active in their communities. He spoke on how the foundation provides a safe, trusted space for meaningful interaction, a place where young people can feel seen and supported, and where players can give back in ways that go beyond football.
It was a chance for the next generation to see what’s possible, both on and off the pitch.
The evening wrapped up with some well-earned pizza for the young people, a simple but fitting way to end the day.
Attached below is the video recapping the day
