Kick Summer Football Tournament

On Saturday 8th July 2023, The Salmon Youth Centre (SYC) boys football team had an opportunity to participate in the Kick Organisation Summer Football Tournament at Oasis Academy, Shirley Park. Kick are a Christian organisation that transform young people’s lives, with God’s love, through sport and support. 

At the tournament over 250 young people from various youth centres and churches attended to be apart of this wonderful event. The SYC Team played so well against great competition. The team made it through to the semi-finals, but unfortunately were knocked out on penalties. Lots of learning took place. For many of the player’s this was their first competitive football tournament, so handling nerves, learning positions and tactics and working as a team took time. It’s always difficult to lose, but losing well with respect for the opposition is always a theme the coach’s want to teach.  

Nhyira Asihene (Ish) led the team. Ish is currently taking part in our sports trainee programme which is funded by the Hargreaves Foundation. He started on the programme in September 2022. The program is a mixture of practical coaching sessions in the youth clubs whilst gaining coaching qualifications and continued professional development in relatable training courses. Ish commented “We are very proud of the Salmon boys for all their hard work, strong efforts & high spirits. They had an outstanding day and left the tournament with a smile”.  Ish has coached the girls and boys football teams as well as the u19 basketball team that recently won the London Youth 3 v 3 tournament. He has a bright future in coaching and in youth work.