Two dynamic women have created Football 4 Impact

Exciting new project aims to connect young people from the UK and Switzerland, regardless of their different environments and socio-economic backgrounds.

BIG GOALS: Paula Powell and Sarah Lalz (left)

FOOTBALL 4 Impact is partnering with the Paul Canoville Foundation to enhance the lives of young British and Swiss children through their love of the beautiful game.

The project aims to connect young people from the UK and Switzerland, regardless of their different environments and socio-economic backgrounds. 

The project has been bought to life with support and fundraising from the Paul Canoville Foundation, Kickoff@3, and the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, amongst others.

It aims to enhance leadership qualities and teach the kids about the role sport plays in alleviating mental health.

Although in its early stages, the project will run on a yearly basis, through long term partnerships with the charities and foundations involved and the sport’s European governing body, UEFA.

The first stage of the project is a week primarily at Hackney Marshes with the youngsters from both countries, who will fundraise their own expenses, participating in discussions and workshops around the theme of mental health, leadership, and financial responsibility.

The week will not be without its football, which the kids from Switzerland and the UK will participate in.

The second stage will see fifteen children from the UK taken to Switzerland on an all-expenses paid trip. The money will be secured through sponsorship. They will be selected based on their progress during the week in London.

The UK’s Paula Powell and her Swiss counterpart, Sarah Lalz, bought the project to life when they decided they wanted to bring young people from different communities together.

The Voice’s Matthew Chadder sat down and spoke with Paula and Sarah who gave us more of an insight as to how the project came together, and what the meaning behind it all is.