Events

CARIBBEAN WELL REPRESENTED AT THE FIWFA 2023 WALKING FOOTBALL WORLD NATIONS CUP

The Federation of International Walking Football Associations (FIWFA) will be staging their inaugural Walking Football World Nations Cup, August 24 – 26 in Derby at St George’s Park, the FA’s national training centre in Staffordshire, England.
At short notice, the Caribbean have entered 2 teams, one in the over 50’s and the other in the over 60’s categories.

The tournament will have sixteen countries competing in the over 50 category and twelve countries in the over 60’s. The Caribbean will be entering a team in each category of the 6-a-side tournament and due to the short notice have had to select their team from first generation players in the Caribbean diaspora that reside predominantly in the United Kingdom. The twenty-four players chosen—12 each squad—have roots from a good spread of the English-speaking Caribbean. It is the ‘Walking Football Caribbean’s’ intention to use this competition as a platform to fully promote the participation of this sport throughout the Caribbean in what has become a global phenomenon since walking footballs inception in the United Kingdom, approximately a decade ago.

In the over 60 category the Caribbean team will be playing in Group B against Northern Ireland, Italy, Australia, Wales, and the Czech Republic. Group A will be competing against hosts England, France, Basque Country, South Korea, Japan, and Canada.

In the Over 50 category the Caribbean team will play in Group B alongside Italy, Basque Country, Nigeria, Singapore, Jersey, Georgia, and Japan. Meanwhile, Group A will be competing against  England, Rwanda, Czech Republic, Egypt, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Wales, and Australia.

The challenge ahead may on paper seem daunting for our region. However, we can take our lead from the great West Indies cricket teams of the past and unbelievably, we do have an enviable track record that means we have to be taken very seriously. The club team ‘Pele’s Pearls’ a Caribbean Walking Football Club from the Midlands, UK represented England in a previous world championship and won. Several of these players are in both squads. So, we go into the competition with high expectations and certainly not as underdogs.

Walking Football Caribbean would like to acknowledge a heartfelt thank you to our sponsor Theo Burnett, Golden Krust franchise holder and Foundation Member (Atlanta) and our collaborating partner and aligned charity, the Jason Roberts Foundation who share our vision to see the game played wherever there are people of Caribbean origin for the health benefits that can experienced.

To follow our teams progress in the competition and to find out more about ‘Walking Football Caribbean’ please visit www.walkingfootballcaribbean.org we look forward to you dropping by.

To watch live coverage of the tournament:

The Recast FIWFA channel, the home of International Walking Football,
can be found at: http://recast.tv/FIWFA

CARRIBEAN WORLD CUP FIXTURES official schedule below.

50’s FIXTURES
Thursday, 24th Aug, 11:30AM – versus Jersey
Thursday, 24th Aug, 16:30PM – versus Nigeria
Thursday, 24th Aug, 17:20PM – versus Basque Country (Spain)

Friday, 25th Aug, 08:30AM – versus Singapore
Friday, 25th Aug, 14:20PM – versus Japan
Friday, 25th Aug, 16:00PM – versus Italy

60’s FIXTURES
Thursday, 24th Aug, 09:00AM – versus Italy
Thursday, 24th Aug, 14:00PM – versus Australia
Thursday, 24th Aug, 15:40PM – versus Czech Republic

Friday, 25th Aug, 15:10PM – versus Northern Ireland
Friday, 25th Aug, 16:50PM – versus Wales

Stay active, stay healthy.

On Sunday 14^th August Bakkavor Meals London, a local food Company returned to Bridgestone Arena for their third annual community day of Sports, Games, Activities, and Refreshments, to raise funds for the Jason Roberts Foundation.

The Fundraising Event organised by Bakkavor’s HR Team, followed the success of the T10 Cricket Event last year that raised over £2600 for JRF, and saw staff, teams, families, and volunteers come together, in a day that included a Cricket and Football Tournament, with teams from across the Bakkavor Meals organisation, as well as a range of activities for the children including face painting, and a fundraising Raffle with some amazing donated prizes.

With some unbelievable performances in the Cricket that kept the crowd captivated, and brilliant displays of teamwork and camaraderie, the weather held out until the end despite an early threat of rain stopping play. The winning team Cumberland, who managed to dethrone Bakkavor’s  Abbeydale site walked away with the trophy and shield, with other teams and individual performances awarded with medals.

Local former Heritage footballers Richard Langley and Mark Stein were on hand to referee and take part in the activities on the day, that was ably managed by a team of JRF Youth Volunteers.

With donations from across the Bakkavor Meals family along with the fundraising initiatives on the day, this year’s donation to JRF topped the previous 2-years with nearly £5000 being raised.

Martene Carroll, Business Development Manager for JRF said; “We are so grateful for our partnership with Bakkavor Meals London. Their annual events hosted at Bridgestone Arena go from strength to strength, and the family ethos of the business shows in the unity and teamwork that was so apparent on the day. The amazing amount they raised will go a long way in enabling us to continue supporting the local community to access sports provision.”

Luke Burgham, SHRBP said of the day.

“Every year this event goes from strength to strength. From what started as a small event 3 years ago, continues to evolve into a more key catching event every year. With over 400 people attending this year all helping raise money for a great local charity.

We are extremely proud to continue working with the Jason Roberts Foundation and putting on a spectacular cricket event every year. We’ve made some great foundations to partner together in making this event a success and we look forward to the joint participation every year.”

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

Sunday 30^th July 2023

Despite a rainy July day, JRF’s Summer Sports Jam at Bridgestone Arena NW10 went ahead, and was well attended by a large number of Brent residents.

The Summer Sports Jam event marked the end of JRF’s popular 9-month ‘Our Time Zone’ project – an Adults Sport, Social, and Health Club, funded by You Decide Brent Health Matters.

As well as a range of activities including Dance, Salsa, Walking Football, Dominos and Table Tennis, trial matches for the over 50s and 60s Caribbean team were held for the forthcoming  2023 Walking Football World Cup of Nations.

With many of the activities being held inside due to the unseasonal weather, the crowd had a chance to speak with some of the Health professionals in attendance, as well as seeking tips and advice from some of the qualified fitness coaches who have worked on the ‘Our Time Zone’ project, including Nines who delivers the Run Club each Tuesday.

A musical performance from award winning artist, Junior Giscombe, perhaps best known for his 1982 hit single, “Mama Used to Say” got the audience on their feet dancing and singing along to his well-loved hit songs well into the evening.

Feedback from those who have taken part in JRF’s ‘Our Time Zone’ project and who enjoyed the Summer Sports Jam Event included;

“A great event, good company, and community vibe.”

“It’s nice to have a place where adults feel valued.”

“Love coming to Brent. It’s such a beautiful moment seeing the older community so happy.”

“It may be raining outside but in my heart it’s spring.”

“We keep fit every Tuesday. It’s great for our mental health.”

Nines who runs the weekly Run Club added, “We set out to create a safe space for the local community to come to and have access to health checks and services they wouldn’t normally be able to reach. A lot of people need a push or don’t have the time. It’s great that the service meets the needs of the community and offers them a place where they can gather and socialise while keeping healthy. It’s a fantastic approach.”

Otis Roberts, CEO of JRF said of the Brent Health Matters funded project; “It has been and wonderful and eye opening nine months. From the engagement of the post-covid elders, to the female empowerment sessions, to the health workshops, and ‘Meet your GP’ sessions, this is just the beginning of something special in our Borough and we are particularly pleased that the local community have co-designed the project with us.” 

On Sunday 3rd July the Jason Roberts Foundation hosted the GDK Cup, a summer Football Tournament at Bridgestone Arena, NW10.

The GDK Cup, the brainchild of popular food brand company German Doner Kebab, saw more than 110  young people compete in a tournament with a focus on positive futures and career options. 

The event was ably organised and executed by JRF Youth Ambassadors who, as part of their work experience take part in training to organise and run events for the Foundation, and in the process help them to acquire a range of skills to add to their CV.

When asked by Loren, one of JRF’s Youth Ambassadors, how he thought about linking a sporting event to the German Doner Kebab name, Eddie Duah, Director and CEO of GDK answered, “It’s something we’ve done before with other teams, and we’re super proud of it. Being able to bring opportunities to people from North, South, East, and West London for me is amazing. When we had the possibility to do it with JRF and give young people a chance to get involved – whether helping to organise the event or playing in the tournament, was a no-brainer for us.”

Congratulating the JRF Youth Ambassadors for their great work in organising the event, Eddie went on to say, “I remember when I was younger being told that you need experience to do something, but if you’re not given the chance you’ll never get the experience. The more opportunities young people get, the better their job and career prospects will be.”

After an exciting final, the winning team hopped on the JRF minibus with their trophy to enjoy food at the nearby GDK in Willesden Green, where Eddie and the GDK staff met with the team and JRF Youth Ambassadors.

JRF plan to host similar events throughout the summer, promoting the benefits of sport, teamwork, diversity and inclusion as well as positive futures for young people.

Sunday 25^th June 2023

On Sunday afternoon over 750 people descended on Bridgestone Arena to enjoy a JRF Exhibition Football Match played by a host of footballing legends under the blazing June sun, to commemorate the 75^th Anniversary of the Empire Windrush’s arrival in Britain.

The free-to-attend event kicked off at midday when the match got underway celebrating the rich footballing heritage of Brent.

Other activities on offer included Salsa, Street dance, and dominoes to a backdrop of music, and refreshments with a Caribbean influence, and attendees had the opportunity to speak to a range of Health Professionals on everything from Eye Care, and Oral Health, with Blood Pressure and Diabetes checks provided by Brent Health Matters (BHM) and the NHS Clinical Team, as well as information for Carers, and a Will writing service.

Leader of Brent Council, Muhammed Butt and local Councillor Promise Knight were on hand to walk the teams out, and the new Mayor of Brent, Cllr Orleen Hylton was in attendance to enjoy some of the activities on offer and to meet local residents.

The all-day event was part of JRF’s ‘Our Time Zone’ project – a Sports, Social, and Health Club for Adults funded by You Decide Brent Health Matters.

On the day over 140 people managed to get their health checks completed thanks to the hard work of the Clinical Team, which was a really positive outcome to an enjoyable and productive day where sport, heritage, culture, health, and community came together.

On Sunday 25^th June the JRF Team are opening the gates at Bridgestone Arena, NW10 for the local community to join them for a Windrush Exhibition Football Match and Health & Wellbeing Festival.

The free-to-attend Event will kick-off at 12 noon when the Football Match gets underway, to celebrate the rich footballing heritage of Brent, and to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Empire Windrush’s arrival in Britain.

To a backdrop of Music and Multi-sports including Walking Football, Tennis, Golf, Dance, Table Tennis, and Chair Aerobics for the elders, attendees will have the opportunity to speak to a range of Health Professionals on everything from Eye Care, Oral Health, Blood Pressure, and Diabetes checks, as well as information for Carers, and a Will writing service.

The all day event is part of JRF’s ‘Our Time Zone’ project – a Sports, Social, and Health Club for Adults funded by You Decide Brent Health Matters.

Refreshments will be available throughout the day and everyone is encouraged to come suitably dressed to take part In some of the activities on offer.

There will be something for everyone at the Festival of Health, Wellbeing, Culture and Heritage. Come and meet your neighbours, socialize, get fit, get active, and stay healthy.

For more information on Brent Health Matters visit https://www.brent.gov.uk/adult-social-care/health-and-wellbeing/brent-health-matters#whatisbrenthealthmatters

On the afternoon of Wednesday 26^th April the JRF Team were delighted to host a special invite-only Pitch side View event at Wembley Stadium to showcase their Inspire to Achieve Heritage Exhibition.

Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players, the Inspire to Achieve Heritage Project uncovered the Histories of the Footballers who Paved the Way in the borough of Brent. The impressive Heritage Exhibition situated at the Olympic Terrace at Wembley Stadium features 15 panels over 6 feet in height with graphically designed illustrations of former professional footballers including Eartha Pond, Jerome Thomas, Rachel Yankey, Paul Merson, Dave Regis and the late Cyrille Regis, celebrates the rich sporting heritage that has gone before.

The event was hosted by the Cultural Media Centre’s Michael Adams with BBC Radio and TV personality Adrian Chiles fielding interviews with the former professional footballers in attendance, including Jamal Campbell Ryce, Richard Langley, Dave Beasant, Mark Stein, Brian Stein, and Ricky Hill.

Leader of Brent Council, Councillor Muhammed Butt and Dave Palmer and Riz Rehman from the Professional Footballers Association (PFA), spoke about the importance of player engagement and legacy. Colin Barnes, Head of Recruitment at Crystal Palace Football Club, a Brent man himself, spoke about inspiring future opportunities for young boys and girls to play football.

The event came in the week when Wembley celebrated 100 years at the iconic stadium with many of the heritage players present have tasted major success and remembering special moments at the National Stadium.

Amongst the guests were teachers and students from Lyon Park Primary and Salvatorian College who were both involved in the Inspire to Achieve Heritage project, as well as local organisation Track Academy and Forest United.

All joined the interactive discussion and suggested ideas around a lasting legacy from the former players and the unanimous hope that these striking panels will become a permanent Exhibition at Wembley Stadium.

Watch an overview of the Inspire to Achieve Heritage Project here https://vimeo.com/821643785?share=copy

Photo Credits @AmandaRosePhotography

22^nd March 2023

On the evening of Wednesday 22^nd March, the Jason Roberts Foundation Table Tennis Club hosted a Lemsip Table Tennis Tournament in memory of local community stalwart Shaun Antoine aka ‘Lemsip’.

The tournament was hosted at Bridgestone Arena and 16 players came together to pit their wits against each other in a bid to win the coveted trophy.

After a thrlling competition the trophy was awarded to Peter by Shaun’s sister Sharon.

Despite being an emotional day, everyone agreed the event was a fitting tribute to a man who was such an integral figure in the community.

Rest in Peace Shaun Antione.

On Tuesday 14^th March the JRF team welcomed a host of guests at Wembley Stadium for the official unveiling of their Inspire to Achieve Heritage Exhibition.

The special event marked the end of the year-long Inspire to Achieve project that culminated in the impressive Heritage Exhibition shown at the iconic Wembley Stadium. The display which features 15 panels over 6 feet in height with illustrations of former professional footballers including Eartha Pond, Jerome Thomas, Ricky Hill, Paul Merson, Dave Beasant and the late Cyrille Regis, celebrates the rich sporting heritage that has gone before.

Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players, the Inspire to Achieve Heritage Project uncovered the Histories of the Footballers who Paved the Way in the borough of Brent, and the afternoon’s celebratory event reflected on the impact of the programme.

Special guests included the Deputy Mayor of Brent, Cllr Orleen Hylton, Alex White from the Heritage Fund, the families of Luther Blissett and Jason Roberts, as well as some of the former professional footballers who have been the focus of this project including, Dave Regis, Rachel Yankey, Richard Langley, Mark and Brian Stein, and Jamal Campbell-Ryce.

Students from Lyon Park School who enjoyed visits from former pupils Gary Waddock and Jason Roberts, and Salvatorian College who received a visit from former pupils Richard Langley and Jamal Campbell-Ryce, joined the other guests and took to the stage to communicate to the audience, in their own words and extremely articulately, the impact the project has had on them, and how much they enjoyed the visits from the former footballers.

Stuart McLeod, Director England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We’re thrilled to have supported this inspiring project by the Jason Roberts Foundation, thanks to National Lottery players. It showcases the fantastic legacy of football in Brent and highlights its sporting heritage. The exhibition is a great way of bringing people together and inspiring the next generation of Eartha Ponds or Jerome Thomas’ to make their mark.”

Otis Roberts, CEO of the Foundation, acknowledged, “Without the buy-in by the players this Project would never have happened. Their commitment and dedication throughout has been invaluable.”

The former players who took to the stage spoke about how “humbled” they were to have been a part of the project, as well as the Exhibition at Wembley Stadium where Dave Regis recalled many hours spent training and being striking partners with Mark Stein eventually at Stoke City. Rachel Yankey remembered first playing in a boys team when she was young which was the start of her pathway into professional football, and that Dave Beasant also being a part of the project was especially meaningful as he had presented her with the first trophy she won. Richard Langley said he had no hesitation in being a part of the project when he was first approached by the team, and applauded the Foundation for the opportunities and experiences they continue to give people in the Brent community.

The project title, Inspire to Achieve, held special meaning for everyone involved in the programme, from JRF staff, the children and young people who took part, theHeritage Fund, key partners, stakeholders, and funders including the Football Association, the Professional Footballers Association, Higgins Partnerships, Brent Council, and Eversleigh LLP, as well as the players themselves, as speeches and conversations throughout the day were sprinkled with the words “inspirational” and “inspiring” and the importance of the Exhibition becoming a permanent feature at Wembley Stadium, the home of football, to inspire future visitors of the iconic arena.

View the Exhibition Event’s Match Day programme here: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFc6oCbtXk/ZOuSVIwIpiNQximPHaBgjA/view?utm_content=DAFc6oCbtXk&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=GG6i3MP0-w

To visit the exhibition – Go up the Olympic Stairs and then follow signs for Ticket Office.

Watch a short film providing an overview of the Inspire to Achieve Heritage programme here: https://we.tl/t-U2BkC1ne4K

Visit our website dedicated to the project here: https://www.inspire2achieve.co.uk

Friday 3^rd February 2023

On Friday actor and martial arts expert Winston Ellis was in the hot seat as he shared his story with a packed room of young people and young adults at Bridgestone Arena, including Drama students from local schools.

The Real Talk session as part of JRF’s ‘Passport to Success’ Programme, delivered in partnership with Young Brent Foundation, and One Flow One Brent, gave young people who are considering exam options at school or future career pathways, heard from the actor as he gave a summary of his career and achievements to date.

The talk quickly turned into an interactive discussion with the audience who asked Winston about his journey to the big screen, the challenges he faced working with fellow actors Johnny Depp and Roger Moore and gave much more insight into the industry as a whole.

Winston, who started acting in the early 90s journeying from Reading, Berkshire to Hong Kong working with the likes of Jackie Chan and Jean Claude Van Damme, has since appeared in a number of Pirates of the Caribbean movies along with several high profile credits.

Winston gave some sound advice during his talk which captured the imagination of those looking to pursue a career in the arts, telling them “You have to fail to succeed”. He also stressed the importance of building self-belief and confidence to support you through life, whatever career pathway you choose, offering words of wisdom to young participants of the QPR Kicks Programme, before his departure.

Winston was joined by Sarah Jane Davis who is an actress and works in Special Effects, and added some words of wisdom to the young people on the night.

Sarah served in Iraq as a Lance Corporal in the British Army Aviation Unit known as the Army Air Corps (AAC) on the front line in 2003 as a landing point commander (LPC), fundamentally supporting the war effort to liberate Iraq.

Born in Hammersmith in London Sarah started in theatre and then modelling when she was cast for her military abilities in the film “How I Live Now”. From there she has been behind and in front of the camera, stunt driving on Sky Active channel and various commercials. Sarah undertook acting classes, and performance acting with the Soldiers Arts Academy (SAA), and did theatre in the West End (The Other Palace Theatre), for a whole run with “Soldier On”, raising awareness for veterans with PTSD in 2018.

The ‘Passport to Success’ project which is funded by Young Brent Foundation and One Flow One Brent, aims to give young people an insight into a wide range of industries, and to arm then with the skills needed to compete in the world of work.

Winston will be back at Box Park Wembley for a workshop and discussion in April. Dates to be confirmed. 

If you are interested in attending a future session, please contact the Foundation at info@jasonrobertsfoundation.org with the subject header: Passport to Success.