All Posts By

Martene Carroll

JRF Celebrate Local Community

Women receiving awards

On Wednesday the 23rd of November local people from the Brent Community came together for an evening of celebration, to mark the end of the Reaching and Building Communities Projects, which were funded by Brent Council’s Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL).

The event, which was sponsored by Eversleigh LLP, and attended by Mayor of Brent Cllr Abdi Aden, was an opportunity for the JRF Team to recognise the achievements of participants of the two Projects, as well as JRF Youth Volunteers and Staff.

Reaching Communities – a 1-year inter-generational pilot project that supports the whole community through youth engagement, community cohesion, and health and wellbeing was launched in October 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite social distancing restrictions and lockdowns, the JRF were successful in delivering all the planned events and activities, whether in person or online.

In April 2021 JRF launched the Building Communities project – a community engagement and activity programme that addresses inequality and social exclusion, saw teams of staff, volunteers, sports coaches, and mentors, engage with marginalised and isolated individuals and groups across the borough through outreach initiatives. People of all ages were encouraged to participate in community sports, activities, and events delivered by JRF at Bridgestone Arena and were signposted to other voluntary and support services in Brent.

The End of Programme celebration of “Culture, Empathy, and shared Prosperity” saw children, young people, and adults receiving certificates and trophies in recognition and celebration of their participation, achievement, and leadership. Our Youth Volunteers who supported the successful delivery of both programmes were rewarded for their dedication and time, with certificates and vouchers.

Martene Carroll, Business Development Manager of the Foundation said; “The Awards Ceremony epitomised the purpose and spirit of both the Reaching Communities and Building Communities projects, which brought our wonderfully diverse community together. It was a joy to see key participants, volunteers, and staff being recognised in this way. The evening really was a celebration of their individual and combined accomplishments.”

Photo © Amanda Rose

Go Green League – It Starts with Us

Go Green League winning team

On Sunday 20th October the first phase of the Winter Go Green League came to a close, with teams competing at Bridgestone Arena for the winner’s trophy.

The Go Green League which was supported through funding from Wembley ParkQuintain’s 85-acre development in north-west London, consisted of 12 local teams who played in the tournament over a 7-week period.

The League was an idea borne by a group of local young men with the idea of bringing other young men together to compete in the football tournament whilst tackling mental health, environmental, and climate issues.

On the cold October evening bragging rights started at the press conference and after a hard-fought tournament, the Ziyad FC came out eventual winners.

The highlight of the tournament was the commitment of the participants and residents to tackling climate Issues. Old friends and the local community came together to support the initiative, with the day starting with a community clean-up in the Stonebridge ward. Within a relatively short space of time the social action group had collected a considerable amount of rubbish from local streets and green spaces, which highlighted the need for schemes like this.

An interactive workshop arranged by Ilaria Esposito from Start Easy was delivered with a mixture of age groups taking part and it was agreed that the community will look to do this on a weekly basis to keep their local neighbourhood cleaner and greener.

The Go Green League will continue, and further plans are in the pipeline to develop a similar League for the younger generation and women.

UCFB Student interviews Jason Roberts MBE

Jason Roberts with UCFB students

The JRF Inspire to Achieve Heritage project was supported, during the summer, by students from local Sports & Football Business University, UCFB based at the iconic Wembley Stadium.

The group of students, led by Jack Bibb an aspiring Sports Journalist, joined the founder of the JRF, Jason Roberts MBE, when he attended Capital City Academy last term for a Memory Café session, as part of JRF’s Heritage project.

Former West Brom, Wigan, and Blackburn striker Jason Roberts was interviewed by Jack, and spoke about his journey, his inspirations, and the obstacles he faced, as he forged a successful career as one of Brent’s Football pioneers.

The Inspire to Achieve Project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to Lottery players, gave the UCFB students an opportunity to gain much needed experience as part of their Degree coursework, and be part of creating local stories of sporting heritage for current and future generations.

As well as interviewing Jason directly, they also fielded questions from the audience of students, teachers, and local stakeholders at Capital City Academy, who were all eager to hear from the local sporting personality about his roots, and the changes he has seen in Brent over the years, on his recent return.

Jack Bibb said “I’m a Multimedia Sports Journalism student at UCFB’s Wembley Campus. The opportunity to work with Jason on behalf of the JRF Heritage Project was one that was too good to turn down and it was an insightful experience helping Jason tell the story of his Brent heritage to students from the local community.

UCFB provides lots of great opportunities, such as this one, and I thank the Foundation for being so welcoming also.”

Watch the video here https://vimeo.com/773268919

Note: Jack is pictured to the right of Jason in the photo

Footballers come Full Circle

Full Circle Football Squad

On Sunday 16th October the Jason Roberts Foundation were delighted to host a very unique event – ‘Full Circle’ at the Bridgestone Arena, as former professional footballers gathered en masse to share their journeys, knowledge, and experience of the game, with the local community and aspiring individuals looking to learn more about the inner depths of the game.

The event was supported by the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) with former player Riz Rehman attending alongside the JRF’s Inspire to Achieve Heritage project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Young Brent Foundation, and Connect Stars.

Former professional players, Zesh Rehman, Mikele Leigertwood, Colin Barnes, Jerome Thomas, Marcus Bean, Mark Stein, Edwin Stein, Jamal Campbell Ryce, Richard Langley, Justin Cochrane,  DJ Campbell, Junior Lewis, and Phil Ifil, all came together and delivered a number of sessions, looking at practical coaching and delivery, skill sharing, and personal history sessions to help educate people from the local community and surrounding areas.

The initiative which has taken several months to plan really did come Full Circle on the day of the event, with the name reflecting the individual journey of each of the players who attended, and their contribution on the day, helping to inspire future generations.

With the ongoing partnership between JRF and local Football & Sports Business University, UCFB, a small team of students who are studying different degree courses, are supporting JRF events such as the Full Circle initiative.

The students – Joshua Hall and Matt Jessup who are studying Football Business and Media, Daniel Marshall who is studying Multimedia Sports Journalism, and Alex Hardy who is studying Football Business and Broadcasting, used their collective skills on the day to interview players and other participants, and film and edit a video of the event for JRF. The experience and skills they demonstrated will be used as credits for their degree coursework.

Otis Roberts, CEO of the Foundation commented: “These players were, and still are, an integral part of the community. We felt that an initiative such as this really epitomizes the valuable contribution these individuals can offer, by sharing their stories – their upbringing, playing careers as well as their subsequent careers in football, and their knowledge and expertise. The event enabled participants to have a up close and personal experience and discover key elements of the game and associated careers that will help their development and understanding, allowing them to take their next individual step in the game.

Our first Full Circle event has been a huge success and something that we will certainly look to deliver again in the future.”

Due to the popularity of the event, JRF have organised some follow-on sessions where some participants will visit some of the coaches in their place of work helping to develop community partnerships and employment opportunities for young people.

Bakkavor Meals London Fundraise for JRF

Bakkavor Foods T10 Cricket Event

On Sunday 7th August Bakkavor Meals London took over Bridgestone Arena for a community day of Sports, Games, Activities, and Refreshments, to raise funds for the Jason Roberts Foundation.

The Fundraising Event organised by Luke Burgham, HR Business Partner from Bakkavor Meals followed the success of the T10 Cricket Event last year that raised over £600 for JRF, and saw staff, teams, and volunteers come together with people from the local community, in a day that included a Cricket and Football Tournament, Giant Board Games, an Inflatable Bouncy Castle, and a Raffle which included some fabulous prizes!

As well as raising money on the day Bakkavor Meals have set up a Just Giving page so those people that weren’t able to attend the Sunday Event could still donate.

The sunny weather helped to ensure everyone who attended had a great day out.

Luke Burgham said of the day.

“We were beyond excited to be able to host our second annual cricket event with the Jason Roberts Foundation this year. On the back of the success of last year’s we were able to continue growing this event together and making it the best experience for everyone involved! Being able to also have a Jason Roberts team this year was the cherry on top of the cake, and we hoped showed everyone what the heart of this Foundation was about by keeping people playing sports! We look forward to many more years in partnership.”

For more information regarding Bakkavor Meals London visit https://www.bakkavor.com/en/home/default.aspx

Cyrille Regis – His Legacy Lives on

Group photo including Roberts and Michelle Regis

Sunday 31st July 2022

As part of the Jason Roberts Foundation’s (JRF) Inspire to Achieve (I2A) Heritage Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Cyrille Regis Legacy Cup and Fun day was held at Bridgestone Arena, in the heart of the Stonebridge Estate on the day of the UEFA Women’s Euros 2022 Final.

A big turnout from the local community were treated to an appearance from special guests Robert and Michelle, son and daughter of the late Brent hero and footballing icon, Cyrille Regis, MBE.

The trip to Stonebridge brought back fond memories for Robert and Michelle as their time as children was split between homes in Birmingham where their father played for West Bromwich Albion, and Stonebridge in Brent.

Robert recalled he doesn’t remember the number of the flat they lived in as their door was “always open” and their home “was always full of people”. He remembered how he envied his cousin Jason (Roberts) as he had one grandparent living upstairs and another grandparent living downstairs and that seemed “unreal” to him, and the “honour (he) felt walking with my cousins to Rockies Chip Shop”.

Michelle said Stonebridge was where they got their grounding as children. They were taught to say, ‘good morning, good afternoon, or good evening’ – “never just hello” and how their father would be there waiting for them, with his cap on at a tilt on his head and his bent arms and chin resting on the balcony ledge. They both agreed they had “the best times” and loved returning to Stonebridge as there was such a feeling of community and everyone seemed to know each other.

The Foundation’s I2A Heritage project was inspired by the sporting legacies left by the Footballers who Paved the Way in the borough of Brent, and Cyrille Regis ”became the talisman for breaking through the bigotry of a different era and encouraging diversity during his seven-year spell between 1977-1984.” Ref: https://www.wba.co.uk/news/2020/april/legend-days-cyrille-regis

Thanks to National Lottery players, local people attending the event enjoyed a host of activities including football matches, face painting for the children, interviews, and heritage awareness of the iconic footballers from the past that grace the borough and performed on the international stage.

Also in attendance was the Mayor of the London Borough of Brent, Councillor Abdi Aden and WBA Photographer Laurie Rampling who first snapped Robert aged 2 and he was reunited with the son of his great friend  Cyrille.

Watch out more heritage news and the I2A Heritage website coming soon.

Summer of Fun for Brent young people

Golf Lessons at Bridgestone

As the school gates close for the long summer holidays, the gates at Bridgestone Arena are opened as the Jason Roberts Foundation (JRF) kicks off their annual Summer Programme for the children and young people of Brent.

This year the action-packed agenda of sports, games, and activities started on Monday 25th July and will run until the 26th of August 2022.

With a range of sporting activities on the menu including basketball, tennis, badminton, golf, table tennis, boxing, football, cricket, and dance, as well as creative arts, and media training through the Cultural Media Centre, there is something for everyone.

Thanks to funding from Young Brent Foundation – One Flow One Brent, Hyde, Brent Council, and Karakusevic-Carson Architects, young people will also enjoy some away-days to try their hand at rowing and kayaking, amongst other excursions.

To keep young people active and engaged throughout their summer holidays there will be activities for different age groups and abilities.

From Monday to Thursday 12:00 – 4:00 pm children aged 5 – 16 years can enjoy all of the activities on offer and on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:00 – 9:30pm 16 – 25-year-olds are welcome to enjoy a range of sports. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday’s from 12:00 – 2:00 pm children and young people with physical and learning disabilities will have dedicated coaches delivering some fun activities and games.

Otis Roberts, CEO at JRF said: “We are so grateful for the support these organisations and businesses provide to enable us to deliver these programmes for our children and young people. It ensures they have a safe place to go during the long summer holidays, where they can take part in sports and fun, affordable activities. Keeping fit, active, and healthy whilst having the opportunity to socialise with their friends and make new ones, and enjoy new experiences through our excursions is our aim for these children. Our summer is always extremely busy, but equally very rewarding for our staff, coaches, and volunteers to see how much the children enjoy themselves.”

JRF offer an open access programme of activities to ensure everyone can take part and no-one is excluded.

For more information regarding the summer programme email the JRF Team at info@jasonrobertsfoundation.org

These Girls Can

Womens' Team with Eartha Pond and Rachel Yankey

Sunday 17th July 2022

Ahead of the UEFA Women’s Euros 2022 Final at neighbouring Wembley Stadium on Sunday 31st of July, the Jason Roberts Foundation (JRF) hosted an exhilarating Women’s Football Tournament at Bridgestone Arena, NW10 with special guests Eartha Pond and Rachel Yankey, OBE.

As part of the JRF Inspire to Achieve Heritage Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the afternoon’s sporting event included a special Memory Café where the audience heard from Eartha and Rachel about growing up in Brent and their journey to becoming professional footballers.

With England’s Lionesses playing in the UEFA Women’s Euros 2022 semi-finals only days away, this all-female Memory Café was the perfect time for the women competing in the day’s football tournament to be inspired by these two players who made such a significant contribution to Women’s football both Nationally and Internationally.

Some amazing questions were put to the former defender and left winger who both played at the highest level in Women’s football from a young age, and with Eartha’s role on the FA Women’s Football Board one of the audience members wanted to know what the FA’s plans are to maintain the momentum of the UEFA Women’s Euros competition and keep the focus on girls entering the sport.

Rachel who played for clubs including Arsenal and Fulham and who won her first England cap and goal at the age of seventeen, was the first professional female player registered in England, revealed that she had first been spotted by the head coach of the male team.

Eartha who joined the women for their training session ahead of the tournament, played for clubs including Chelsea, Everton, and Tottenham Hotspur, and surprised the audience when she spoke about having to work whilst pursuing her career in professional Women’s football, and that she was a sports teacher and Assistant Vice-Principal at the local Crest Academy.

The insightful Q&A session uncovered stories of the resilience young women like Rachel and Eartha had to display when Women’s Football went from grassroots to elite level in what was then a male-dominated sport. The audience appreciated the contribution these two former professional players have made to Women’s football and how they and the current Lionesses have raised the profile of Women in football and have opened the door for future generations to pursue a career playing football professionally.

The day ended with a fun Heritage Quiz with a focus on Brent, and with excited anticipation of the forthcoming Women’s semi-final on the 26th of July.

The Resilience of the Regis Brothers inspire students

Cyrille Regis Footballer

On Wednesday 26th January the students at Newman Catholic College received a visit from former student and ex-professional footballer Dave Regis, as part of the Jason Roberts Foundation’s Inspire to Achieve Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The former striker who scored 53 goals from 237 appearances in the Football League in the 1990s, notably for Stoke City and Notts County, spoke to the students about the resilience, the challenges, and the successes of he and his late brother, Cyrille Regis, on their journey from Newman Catholic College to the different Leagues in their footballing careers.

The Regis Memory Café gave students and those accessing the Q&A session via Zoom, the opportunity to ask Dave about his time as a professional footballer, and to tell previously unheard stories of the childhood he and his brother shared growing up in Brent.

Cyrille Regis, MBE (1958 – 2018) was a professional footballer who played as a forward. His professional playing career spanned 19 years, where he made 614 league appearances and scored 158 league goals, most prolifically at West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City. He remains a footballing icon who broke through the bigotry of a different era and encouraged diversity, helping to pave the way for current and future footballers.

After his sad and untimely passing in 2018 his family set up the Cyrille Regis Legacy Trust which serves to honour and remember the life of Cyrille Regis MBE. For more information visit https://www.cyrilleregis.com/

For more information regarding the JRF Inspire to Achieve Heritage project please contact info@jasonrobertsfoundation.org

Exhibition Match celebrates diversity, culture, & Heritage

Heritage Exhibition Match Players

Sunday the 12th of June saw several ex-professional and current footballers descend on the Bridgestone Arena turf to celebrate the achievements of former players that went before as part of the JRF’s Inspire to Achieve project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.

The 200 strong crowd were treated to a Festival of Sports with a host of special appearances including a team from East London which consisted of some well-known names including Henry Hughton and former Reading legend Michael Gilkes, alongside the Stein brothers, Dominican International Richard Paquette and Jefferson Louis and another footballing family – the trio of Grenadian international players Byron, Alvin and Bradley Bubb.

The colourful event brought out authentic stories of players reconnecting with their countries of heritage, recollections of the Windrush journey the players’ parents and grandparents experienced were shared, and memories of the journeys each of the players have lived through and the collective impact they have had on the modern game were told.

The memorable afternoon culminated in a celebration of flags, music, and reunion.

Algie who organised the East London team commented; “Today was inspirational in so many ways. Coming to Brent and seeing so many youngsters enjoy the day, and of course catching up with old friends. The reunion, reminiscing on our stories, and celebrating our past was sensational.”