‘It’s opening doors’ | Huddle Project celebrates first birthday

Local youngsters have shared how the Huddle Project is 'opening doors' as the dual football and flag football programme delivered by Tottenham Hotspur Foundation - through funding from the Club, NFL and Nike – celebrates its first birthday.

Launched at the Stadium last October, the Huddle Project has since engaged 436 children and young adults.

Kristian Cato, 21, said: “Coming to the Huddle Project, we were told we were going to learn more than just the games, including life skills and how to operate in different situations.

“The staff told me they saw a leader in me and I just needed that to blossom, so I’ve been given certain roles at sessions. I’ve grown into them and tried hard to improve my skills in leading, such as communication.

“This had led to other opportunities and pathways. I’ve done the Foundation’s Spurred 2 Coach course, learning to be a coach and setting you on the way to an FA qualification. I also helped at the Chicago Bears’ Mini Monsters session and did some stewarding at the Stadium when the NFL was here.”

Kristian has been attending the Huddle Project since it launched and added the atmosphere has made it easy to keep coming back.

“It's fun. I love the banter and camaraderie with everyone. It’s a really nice place to be after school, when you have free time and want to give your energy to something positive.”

The Huddle Project includes a girls’ only session and participants received a visit from Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds earlier this year, alongside Spurs legends Ledley King and Jenna Schillaci, before getting the opportunity to design cleats for him to wear in the warm-up for the Bears’ recent game at the Stadium against Jacksonville Jaguars.

Among the girls was Muskaan, 15, whose experiences through the course of the year have her aspiring to become a Foundation coach.

She said: “The Huddle Project benefits you physically, mentally and socially.

“I enjoy the physical part. We play many variations of games. The coaches mix it up to make sure its inclusive so that everyone can participate.

“I also enjoy the environment of the project. The coaches make it so safe and fun that you just want to be there all the time.

“Since I’ve been participating, I’ve been able to do work experience with the Foundation and now I volunteer with some of the other coaches at their football sessions. I did Spurred 2 Coach with the Foundation, through the Huddle Project. It’s just opened loads of doors for me.

“I’m planning to do my FA coaching qualification in November, then hopefully become a casual coach at the Foundation and slowly work my way to full-time.”

Andre Thomas is project coordinator for the Foundation and leads on delivering the Huddle Project.

He concluded: “We’ve delivered 189 sessions in the first year of the Huddle Project. The combination of football and flag football has proved really popular amongst young people and helped lead to some fantastic opportunities.

“The Club envisaged building the Stadium would drive uplift of the area and the Huddle Project is a great example of bringing in partners such as NFL and Nike for the benefit of our community.

“Heading into the second year, we’re excited to further inspire and empower participants, with some of them soon to take on NFL qualifications.”

Huddle Project sessions run in school term time, between 4.30pm and 6.30pm every Wednesday at Duke’s Aldridge Academy, opposite the Stadium, with the girls’ sessions at the school between the same times every Friday. Register at www.tfaforms.com/5129394.