The Big Goal regional football tournaments to be staged this month at top class football venues across the north, south and midlands represent the biggest unifying CSR initiative the channel has ever seen, says Giacom CEO Terry O’Brien (pictured centre left).
Entry fees for this year’s tournament will fund 42 academies run by The Street Soccer Foundation which brings the power of football into communities nationwide, helping homeless and disadvantaged children and young people to turn their lives around.
“Never before has the channel come together in such a positive and unifying way to support vulnerable young people,” stated O’Brien
He believes the most powerful aspect of the initiative is that channel firms can get directly involved in the academies they are sponsoring in their local areas.
“This inspires teams and gives companies the opportunity to potentially recruit young individuals who just need a break in life,” he said.
“The academies supported by companies in our industry already means 400 young people will get new opportunities in life by simply playing football. You can’t put a price on that which is why Giacom got involved as headline sponsor.”
Keith Mabbutt, CEO and founder of The Street Soccer Foundation, added: “The way this industry has united to help struggling young people has been awesome. It’s The Big Goal’s first year and it can only get bigger.”