The power of sports to change lives is well-known, but the impact it can have on communities is often overlooked. In Zimbabwe, a group of Liverpool sports enthusiasts have taken it upon themselves to make sports available to anyone, regardless of their background. Friendly Football Academy, a youth sports organisation based in Harare, is the main beneficiary of this initiative.
Children and young people from “broken homes” and with histories of “drug abuse” are being helped by the sports organisation. However, with the help of a sports bank based in Liverpool, they are able to make a real difference.
Mike Boyle, a coach at Allerton Football Club, started Stevie Hill and Dave Jones’ sports bank in 2020, in memory of late football coach Stevie and former secretary of Allerton FC Dave. Its aim is to “make sports available to everyone”.
The sports bank provides donations such as sports kits, football boots and clothing to children whose parents can’t afford to buy them, not only in Liverpool but also in Zimbabwe, where they are used by Friendly Football Academy. Mike said: “I met the Zimbabwe lads in 2017 during a football tournament with all the young boys on my team, and we became friends.”
“We’ve been donating football kits, sports stuff and anything that we could get. We get donations from people in the city.” Mike told the ECHO: “I end up having sheds of donations from the people of Liverpool. I’ve said that maybe it’d be better to get a container!”
The kids at Friendly Football Academy are very grateful for what they receive. As Reuben Tawodzera, who works with Friendly Football Academy in Zimbabwe, said: “The donations the sports bank have given us range from football kits, football boots, clothes, tracksuits, boxing equipment, quite a lot of things.”
These donations have made such a huge impact on our communities in Zimbabwe. We have children that are coming from families where they can’t afford sports kits, so the sports bank has made it possible. As Reuben continued: “Now they are able to play football and showcase their talents. It’s so positive for them and for their health.”
The sports bank has helped Zimbabwe in a number of ways. Reuben added: “We are now doing an annual tournament in memory of Steve Hill and Dave Jones. The people of Zimbabwe are saying thank you to the Liverpool community.”
Challenges
- Some of the children who go to Friendly Football Academy walk 8km to get there, highlighting the challenges they face in accessing sports facilities.
- Another challenge is the cost of getting the equipment to Zimbabwe, with the sports bank asking for financial assistance to get donations to the country.
A tribute to the late coaches
- Mike Boyle started Stevie Hill and Dave Jones’ sports bank in 2020, in memory of late football coach Stevie and former secretary of Allerton FC Dave.
- The sports bank aims to “make sports available to everyone”, providing donations such as sports kits, football boots and clothing.
| Benefits of the sports bank’s donations | • Football kits | • Football boots | • Clothing | • Tracksuits | • Boxing equipment |
Reuben Tawodzera, who works with Friendly Football Academy in Zimbabwe, said: “These donations have made such a huge impact on our communities in Zimbabwe.”
“The sports bank has made sports available to everyone in our communities. They are making sports available to anyone, regardless of their background,” Reuben added.
As Reuben said, the sports bank’s donations have helped Zimbabwe in a number of ways. They have helped children overcome drug abuse and negative experiences, and have enabled them to showcase their talents through sports.
The impact of sports on communities
“The sports bank has made sports available to everyone in our communities. They are making sports available to anyone, regardless of their background.”
The Zimbabwe community is grateful for the sports bank’s donations, and has shown their appreciation through various means.
Some of the children who go to Friendly Football Academy walk 8km to get there, highlighting the challenges they face in accessing sports facilities. However, with the help of the sports bank, they are able to access sports facilities and enjoy the benefits of sports.
The sports bank’s donations have also helped to reduce drug abuse and negative experiences in the community. Reuben said: “We are now doing an annual tournament in memory of Steve Hill and Dave Jones.