Press Release

Homes for Islington celebrates local soccer success

June 2009

Homes for Islington board member, Cllr Jyoti Vaja, has been helping celebrate the success of young local footballers.

Cllr Vaja was attending presenting trophies at the awards for Islington Borough Football club, which is sponsored by HFI.

Islington Borough FC has been in existence for just over two years now and has just completed its first year in partnership with HFI, which has enabled the club to expand from 1 to 2 teams, provide trials for Council residents and engage in some local work on estates.

One of the club's main aims when it was set up was to provide football opportunities for young men, this partnership has helped develop that aim.

HFI sponsor this football club to:

• support young people
• provide greater opportunities for local council residents
• encourage talent development

A number of the team have completed their level 1 qualification in coaching football and a further 4 have gone on to take the level 2 certificate in coaching football. Overall the team have achieved great results including:

• the 1st team remained in the premier division
• the reserve team finished mid-table and made it to a semi-final in their first season in the league
• players earning trials in the USA.

The awards were handed out to celebrate the sporting success of the local kids on the team.

Cllr Vaja said: “This has been a fantastic evening. It has been a year of great achievement for the club and all those involved should be very proud. I’m looking forward to seeing the team go from strength to strength and having another successful year.”

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact James Asser in the HFI communications team on 020 7527 4379 or email james.asser@homesforislington.org.uk

Notes to editors:

1. Homes for Islington, one of the UK’s largest arms length management organisations (ALMO) and is charged with managing the council housing stock throughout the borough. It is owned by Islington Council and managed by a Board of Directors, made up of Islington tenants and leaseholders, council representatives and independent members.

2. Picture 1 shows Cllr Vaja presenting a trophy to Valan McKay who had a very successful season for the 'b team' scoring 31 goals.

3. Pictures 2 shows Cllr Vaja with the team.