Thanks for visiting Junction49.co.uk - an online community where young people aged 13-25 get support to set up and deliver their own projects, campaigns and events around issues that matter to them.
So if you've got a great idea - get started and post on Junction49 today.
Don't have an idea, but would like to get involved? Sign up and browse and comment on our Junction49ers great ideas.
Owners
What it's all about
There are a lot of youth in today’s day and age who spend the free time they have either on the internet or playing video games. Of course living this sedentary lifestyle encourages and promotes the epidemic of obesity we have in the United Kingdom. This epidemic should be tackled at grass-roots level starting with the youth.
After some discussions with my friends and other youth in general, everyone seemed to concur that a weekly football league/tournament is the best way to actually engage the youth in the communities of Balsall Heath and Sparkbrook in Birmingham. There will be 8 teams of 7 players and there will be 32 games (planned to be played within the six weeks summer holiday)
The tournament will serve a breath of fresh air, it’ll give a sporting and competitive atmosphere to the community as well as giving the youth a time to look forward to at the end of the week.
Above all, it will make the youth live and lead a healthy lifestyle.
If this summer proves to be a success then we would like to expand on this in the future years to come.
What's needed to make it a reality
We want this league to take place in the vicinity of a sports hall. Therfore, we may need funding on that part. Explained later
Comments
Welcome to Junction49. I'm Sarah from the Junction49 team here to support you in getting your project all set up.
This is a great idea for a summer project, particularly with the Olympics taking place too. You could always give the teams names of different countries.
It's clear from what you've written that you've got a clear idea of what you want to do. It's really great that you've got people who are interested in taking part too.
To get started, you'll want to secure a venue and book in all the dates you want for the summer. You should get in contact with www.somewhereto.com If you go to the website and get in touch with your regional coordinator they should be able to help you to get a venue (and one for free too). The aim of somewhereto_ is to support young people aged 16-25 to find the space they need to the things they love and it's inspired by creating a legacy for the Olympic games.
Will you need to buy anything else for the football league? If you need funding for equipment, like bibs, footballs, cones etc... then we can support you to apply for some. You could also get some trophies/medals to hand out to everyone at the end.
Here are two funds I would definitely recommend you applying to:
- O2 Think Big http://www.o2thinkbig.co.uk/
Awards of up to £2500 for your project, given in stages, for projects to improve the community. This is open to 13-25 year olds. In the first round you can apply for £300 and then after you've completed that part of the project you might get invited to apply for £2500.
- Live UnLtd http://www.liveunltd.com/
Live UnLtd will give up to £5,000 of funding and all the support needed to turn a great idea into a reality. Open to 11-21 yr olds.
If you need any help with the application just let me know.
Once you've got a venue and funding sorted you can start to let people know about it. Will you need a referee for the matches? Or will you/someone else you know be doing that?
This is a great summer project and I 'm sure you'll be able to generate a lot of interest. Maybe at the end you could think of having a big community celebration/street party?
I hope that helps to get you started, if you've got any questions about anything just let me know.
Sarah Report Abuse
I'll let you know how it's coming along..if I stumble on any hurdles I'll post my problem on here, and hope you can help me out so we can get ready in time for the olympics. Report Abuse
Not a problem at all, please do let me know if you have any questions and I'll be happy to help.
The fact you're starting to plan this now means you should be on track to get it all set up ready for the summer. When applying to O2, you usually hear back within about 6 weeks, as they hand out funding every month. You'll be invited along to a training day before you receive the funding and then you can get organising. The good thing is that if you get the tournament all set up and ready to go, if you want to do a celebration even at the end you'll have the time between the start and the end to finalise a few bits and bobs.
Best of luck with your application.
Sarah Report Abuse
I just wanted to check in to see how things are going with your idea? Have you been able to apply to O2 Think Big yet?
If you need any help, just give me a shout.
Sarah Report Abuse
I know this space probably isn't in an ideal location for your project as it's only really possible to get there through car or public transport but I thought I would post you the link to the venue incase it's any good.
http://somewheretoblog.tumblr.com/post/20903206550/in-handsworth-birmingham-and-cant-find
Hope all is well,
Sarah Report Abuse
And the venue is brilliant since it is free, so maybe we can use the money that was intended for hiring a sports hall for transport.
Thanks again for your support.
Asem Report Abuse
Congratulations on getting the funding from O2, that's brilliant news. If you need any help with the details, just let me know. You can keep your idea updated here by adding diary entries as everything comes together over the next few months.
Well with the venue if you get in contact with the relevant person from somewhereto_ you will either hopefully be able to get that venue or they may know of somewhere else closer to you that you could use instead.
Best of luck with all the preparations.
I look forward to hearing how it all goes.
Sarah Report Abuse
How are things going with your idea? Doesn't feel much like summer at the moment, so hopefully the weather will improve in the next few months ready for your football tournament.
I had an email at the start of the week from someone who set up a similar thing in Birmingham (Small Heath) last summer and now have a couple of football teams in the area. I mentioned your idea in my reply, but if you think there could be anyway you could link up or they could help you can get in touch with them here: http://www.smallheathtigers.co.uk/
Sarah Report Abuse
Just thought I'd check in to see how preparations are going? Have you managed to get a venue sorted?
Apparently the weather is meant to be much better from mid-July so you could be in luck if it's outside.
Sarah Report Abuse
I hope you're well. Have you managed to get the league up and running for this summer?
Someone else just added a new idea on Junction49 really similar to yours, so I thought there may be a way you could collaborate or share some advice based on your experience? Their idea is here: http://www.junction49.co.uk/idea/3092/street_football/
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sarah Report Abuse
Log in | Register