LaLiga ambassador and Sevilla FC legend Frédéric Kanouté visited Acland Burghley School in North London to celebrate the LaLiga x Bloomsbury Football League, a community partnership with the ongoing support of Fundación LaLiga and 12 professional football clubs from Spain, helping provide access to football to young people in London.
At the event Kanouté announced a unique opportunity for two players from the LaLiga x Bloomsbury Football League to receive residential scholarships to LaLiga Camps UK. The recipients will learn LaLiga’s football methodology, and experience world-class coaching from UEFA Pro licensed coaches.
The LaLiga x Bloomsbury Football League is a 30-week league for young people between the ages of 9 and 13 competing in 12 teams for the LaLiga x Bloomsbury trophy. Each player is provided with playing kit from one of the LaLiga clubs involved: RCD Espanyol, Sevilla FC, Real Betis, Real Sociedad, Valencia CF, CA Osasuna, RC Celta, Deportivo Alavés, CD Tenerife, Real Oviedo, SD Eibar and UD Las Palmas.
With the objective of making football accessible for all, 70% of young people involved in the LaLiga x Bloomsbury Football League have received financial assistance thanks to Bloomsbury Football and LaLiga’s official foundation, Fundación LaLiga, with 20 young people having their full fee covered.
To coincide with the League’s matches on the day, Fundación LaLiga ran clinics for the young people to educate them about positive football values such as integrity, effort, self-improvement, collaboration and teamwork.
As well as observing the matches, Kanouté engaged with Bloomsbury Football players and coaches, and sharing his own experiences of football growing up.
“I am extremely passionate about all young people having access to football whether that be in Mali or right here in my adopted home city of London. Football can have such a positive impact on young peoples lives, which is why it was a privilege to announce the LaLiga Camps UK scholarship for two deserving young people.
“The LaLiga x Bloomsbury Football League is a great example of the opportunities LaLiga is creating for communities in the UK. I had so much fun watching the kids enjoying being out on the pitch and playing with smiles on their faces.” said Frédéric Kanouté, LaLiga Ambassador.
As part of their multi-year partnership which began in May 2022 and sees LaLiga invest in the community football surrounding its London HQ, LaLiga and Bloomsbury Football are creating new opportunities for Bloomsbury players, upskilling members of the Bloomsbury team and creating live events.
“Our community partnership with Bloomsbury Football here in London has been a great example of our support for football in the UK. supporting young players’ health and well-being, all while celebrating the joy of Spanish football,” said Keegan Pierce, LaLiga Managing Director for the UK and Ireland.
“It’s amazing that LaLiga continues to champion grassroots football in London by supporting our work at Bloomsbury Football. Since this partnership started a year ago, we have already had a significant impact. Our young people compete in weekly matches proudly wearing the kits of their LaLiga team, and it was inspiring for them to meet Frédéric Kanouté. Together, Bloomsbury Football and LaLiga are creating lifelong memories for our players”, said Charlie Hyman, Founder & CEO of Bloomsbury Football.
Part of LaLiga’s grassroots initiatives in the UK, LaLiga Camps UK is an international football camp open to players aged 11-17 from across the world, taking place on the campus of Bede’s Senior School in Sussex, England. Players learn LaLiga’s unique training methodologies and experience world-class coaching from UEFA Pro Certified coaches from Spain.
Keegan Pierce, added: “The recipients of these scholarships will receive an incredible and potentially life-changing opportunity, thanks to our Grassroots partners at LaLiga Camps UK. Participants will learn LaLiga’s unique training methodologies ensuring the same world-class level of coaching that has created some of the world’s finest players.”
Looking ahead, LaLiga and Bloomsbury are planning a girls’ football tournament in London for Summer 2023, ahead of the Women’s World Cup, alongside further community and educational initiatives.
