WIREDGOV

Street League academy students headed for Number 10 yesterday to face a grilling from the PM and Downing Street staff. 

The students, all part of Street League’s Academy programme which uses the power of football to support disadvantaged young people into jobs or training, headed through the famous front door to take on some of the country’s top officials and the PM himself, in mock interviews that will help them on the road to a better future.

The Prime Minister said: 

“Everyone knows how nerve racking job interviews can be. To walk up Downing Street for the first time and to face an interview at No 10 is no mean feat, but they all rose to the challenge.

 “Through experiences like this, Street League is giving some of the young people who need it most, the inspiration, skills and confidence to boost their future job prospects.

 “I hope today will stand them in good stead for the real thing – a useful step towards a successful job interview.”

The interviews are all part of Street League’s structured football and education programme to help students build the confidence, life skills and qualifications necessary for moving into training, further education and employment.

 Accompanying the students was Street League Chief Executive Matt Stevenson-Dodd.

 Matt said:

“Today was an incredible opportunity to showcase how Street League change lives through football but also an amazing opportunity for our young people to try out their new found interview skills and gain extra confidence by facing probably the toughest interview they will ever face. If they can do this, they can do anything.”

One of the students who was interviewed by the Prime Minister was Street League Academy student Khadar.

Khadar Habane said: 

“Nothing could prepare me for today. It was really good to meet the Prime Minister and he gave me a few pointers.

“Street League has helped me build my confidence and boosted my self-esteem. I’ve learned interview techniques and CV tips, so I’m ready to put myself out there and use the skills Street  League has given me.”

Highlighting the fact that the success of Street League’s programme is the use of football as a way of engaging young people, following the mock interviews, the students took part in a Street Football session in perhaps the most famous ‘Street’ in the world.  

Academy student Venetia Palmer said:

“Today was an amazing experience. I was actually quite calm before the interview. The Prime Minister even helped me with my CV.

“Street League has taught me how to be confident and given me a lot of help to improve my skills. Now, thanks to Street League I’m about to start an apprenticeship in youth work.”

The event comes on an exciting day for Street League as they announced Arsenal Captain and World Cup winner, Cesc Fabregas is to become their first ever Football Ambassador.

Cesc sent his best wishes to the graduates and outlined why he was backing Street League.

Cesc said:

“Street League uses football to change the lives of underprivileged young people, helping them get back into education, training and employment.

“I am really happy to support the work that Street League does, and I hope lots more people who love football and want to help young people will get involved.”

Yesterday was also part one of the final steps on the students’ path to attaining their NVQ Level 1 in employability skills.

They join the 22,000 + young people that Street League has helped over the last 10 years using the power of football.

For more information go to the Street League website.