Joe is one of more than 1700 homeless, unemployed or disadvantaged people of varying ages and backgrounds who have found their way to a career path they never knew existed, as a result of the innovative sports programmes of Street League. Impetus has been working with Street League for a little more than a year, to develop a scale- up plan to expand into three more locations. There are many more "Joe"s waiting for them to arrive!
Two years ago Glaswegian Joe was down on his luck, unemployed with no future plans. He spent much of his life at Parkhead Youth Project which provides drop-in sessions, outreach services and activities. It was here that Joe heard about Street League. "I liked the idea of it", says Joe. "They talked about using football to provide some structure and help you get a job, but to be honest at first it was all about the football, I just wanted to play some football."
Over the next year Joe took part in regular training sessions and tournaments. He says: "It was a real confidence boost. I'd always loved playing football and it was great to be part of something. The other big thing was my health and fitness. I'd never thought about this before, and ate and drank whatever I wanted. But one of the coaches encouraged us to eat better food and think about nutrition and told me I'd be a better footballer if I took these things seriously. I'm glad to say I took his advice and I'm a lot healthier now. I feel better for it, mentally and physically."
In May last year Joe was selected for a sports coaching and development tour to Malta along with 15 other players from Glasgow. "It was the first time I'd done anything like this and I felt privileged to take part. We did lots of coaching and it was here that I decided what I wanted to do with the rest of my life - to pursue a career in the sports industry and to share my passion for the game with others." After returning to the UK Joe set about turning his dream into a reality and was selected for the Coach Apprenticeship Scheme. This six-month initiative is a part-time paid position and enabled Joe to achieve formal coaching qualifications and to gain experience in other areas such as IT, marketing and administration.
Joe is now ready for the next step on his journey, "I've already got a place at Glasgow Metropolitan College to do a two year Higher Education Diploma in Sports Coaching with Development of Sport, and after that I was to do a sports-related degree. I'm excited about where it will all lead. Street League has really given me the direction I need, and has given me the confidence to pursue a successful future."
Read more about our work with Street League and other lives being turned around by our tremendous charities and social enterprises.
Thanks to Street League for providing this story.
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Chief Executive, Leap Confronting Conflict