Ballers Football Academy – Contribution to the Community 2019

Since winning the Contribution to the Community Award, Ballers Academy has continued to grow and gain recognition – but it has one hurdle it desperately wants to overcome.

The Academy, which provides structured coaching sessions for players of all ages and abilities, needs a ‘home’ of its own.

With 550 currently on a waiting list which lengthens by the week, children are having to leave the borough to play football. Academy founder, Jamie Mehmet, wants to find a place so he can take everyone.

He said: “We need our own home. At the moment, we use rented pitches but you’re restricted to certain slots and many of the places prefer to rent commercially as the rates are higher.

“We have great staff and great coaches who are available every day but we just need the space. It would be good to work with someone who will give us a chance to manage our own facility.”

The Academy’s team works together to design sessions that will encourage players to express their ability and creativity as well as allowing them to develop confidence through interacting with others in a safe environment.

Some of their young players are now meeting with professional success including an Under 13 boy who is playing with Brighton and Hove.

Their achievements, such as winning the Southwark Business Excellence Award, are spreading far and wide.

“A lot of people have noticed us since the Awards especially at the council and local MPs,” Jamie said. “I’ve been asked to go and give a talk to the local council ward on what we do and how we’re supporting the community. The Awards have given us a lot of publicity which is always welcome.

“A lot of schools are contacting us to see if can do PE lessons. We’ve had another three schools get in touch this week. We’ve just hired Jack Sammoutis [an ex-professional and YouTube football star for SE Dons] as our Head of Schools and Community to work with them. We take on people who can inspire children.”