Building A Bond
Rayvon, Luton, England
Goal Click and the Premier League Charitable Fund teamed up to tell the inside story of Premier League Kicks as part of the Premier League Youth Summit.
Eight young people documented their diverse experiences of Premier League Kicks during the summer of 2021 through their own eyes and voices. The storytellers represented four club community organisations (CCOs) in the Premier League and English Football League – West Ham United Foundation, Nottingham Forest Community Trust, Luton Town Community Trust, and Pompey in the Community.
Premier League Kicks uses the reach and appeal of the Premier League and network of professional football clubs. Premier League Kicks will regularly engage children and young people of all backgrounds and abilities in football, sport and personal development – providing a trusted, positive influence in high-need areas across England and Wales.
Playing with Luton Town Community Trust, Rayvon wrote about his photos, football life, and the impact of PL Kicks on his community - including opportunities to interact with local police officers.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your football life?
My name is Rayvon, I am 18 and I’m from Luton. I started playing football when I was 11 as I was invited to try out for a team when I was still playing basketball. After a few games I kept going and it just stuck - now I play football seriously. I have played for teams such as Luton Sporting Phoenix, Barton, Luton Allstars, Kempston Rovers, Onley, and Riverfield.
Attending these Kicks sessions gave me more opportunities and time to play football outside of training. Also, not only that, attending these Kicks sessions gave me many opportunities, which can help me progress further, such as workshops and BTEC courses that I can apply for.
Who is in these photos? Do any of the people have interesting stories?
There are participants who have been coming to Kicks sessions for a long time, like myself. Before coming to Kicks, some individuals were looking to either get on a football team, become referees or coaches. From attending these sessions, some of the participants are now taking part in BTEC courses, some are refereeing, and some have even gone on to have the opportunity to play for Pro Direct. They can express themselves on the pitch, so they have a chance to be scouted by teams and play more competitive football with bigger opportunities.
There is one 23-year-old pro player in a red top who joins in the sessions with us. Having him there helps us see the level we need to reach. And reaching out for the advice of what it took to get him there.
Where were the photos taken? What activity was taking place?
They were all taken at the PL Kicks session, with people playing football as well as doing fitness before the football. They show what happens at each Kicks session from start to finish. At the start of each session, everyone signs in and gets their temperatures checked. Once that is done everyone then proceeds onto the Astro ready to begin. Everyone is then split into teams of seven with bibs for each team, we are organised, and then begin matches.
What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?
I have tried to capture images that show equality and diversity. You can see how multicultural the session is. We have all different types of races and many different religions.
I also tried to show the togetherness that comes from the healthy gathering of young people and the productive things they can do when given the opportunity and help. When young people are given opportunities and something to focus on, they can avoid and stay away from things such as gangs. It also helps those who are bored by giving them something to do as well as keep the youth fit.
The wider meaning was that young people can be motivated when given the right incentive, giving them opportunities to play football or other sports such as basketball and badminton. It can help them from going down the wrong road, keeps them on track and even create their future, as they might proceed to higher levels in the sport and do this as a job.
What is your favourite photo? Why?
You can see the local police officer having a group talk with the boys. I believe that talks like this with the police will help build a better bond with younger people, because we get a different view from what we see on social media to what we get when we talk to them ourselves.
What is it like interacting with the police as part of the Kicks programme?
Interacting with the police at the Kicks sessions has been very interesting for myself. Speaking to them has made me realise that they are not all the same. They are different from what we hear from word of mouth or what we hear from other people's experiences.
Interacting with the police is a different kind of experience. I find it quite informative as I can have an up-close person conversation with the police to understand why they do what they do, as well as why they chose that profession out of all the other professions - because in a town like Luton most police are looked at like the enemy, even though they are here to serve the public. I think the involvement of police is a great and smart idea which helps young people understand the police and helps with bettering the relationship between the police and young people.
Why is football important for your community?
Football is very important to our local community because growing up in areas such as Marsh Farm or Lewsey Farm, if you are around the wrong people, it's easy to get roped into things. But having these sessions run throughout the week and in the school holidays are very beneficial. It takes the focus away from going down the wrong route. All our minds are focused on doing what we love - a lot of us in the community love football. The fact that we get to play for free is a bonus.
Football is the basis for our community because everyone comes together to enjoy a game of football. It allows us to make new friendships and allows the community to grow stronger.
What does football mean to you? What ambitions do you have for the future?
Football is my way out of poverty, and my focus and structure for me to get through the week. I regularly get to socialise with new and existing friends. I have moved on to a two-year BTEC course to keep me focused on football. It's a college course for 16-18-year-olds where we earn a Level 3 NVQ in Sports Studies. It is all thanks to the help and guidance of the coaches who run the PL Kicks sessions and those who work for the LTFC Community Trust.
Football helps me take my mind off all my troubles. It helps with mental stability as well as being a way to enjoy myself and grow as a person as it helps with discipline, calmness, and confidence. If I can play football and get paid it would be great. However, as life is unpredictable, I have a plan B in mind for my future.
How does taking part in Kicks make you feel? What do you like most?
Taking part in Kicks has made me feel more energised and more motivated to keep playing football. My favourite thing about coming to Kicks are the challenges. Coming to Kicks I get the opportunity to play against players who are much bigger than me, much faster and stronger, but coming to Kicks gives me the opportunity to always improve.
Kicks makes me feel like I have a place to play the sport free of charge and with different types of people in our community. What I like most is the variety of players you get coming to the PL Kicks events.
What impact has the Luton Town programme had on you?
The Luton Town programme has had a big impact in my life. Not only with helping me get better at football, but I was also selected to take part in the Youth Summit program, which I really enjoyed. The program lasted seven weeks. Me and a group of four other participants had to come up with a business plan of how to make our own business. In those seven weeks, I have made a new bunch of friends who I can now socialize with outside of Kicks.
It has allowed me to gain confidence, be more comfortable talking to new people, and express myself on and off the pitch, allowing me to better myself.
What do you think the future looks like for football in Luton and England? What do you want to change?
The future for football looks like it will not change for a few years to come as people’s mindsets take a while to be changed. What I would like to change would be the opportunities for young people. I have seen young players with great talent with no chance of making it as the opportunities are not there.
Football is Luton is very positive, as I can attend sessions throughout the week delivered by Luton Town Community Trust, Monday to Friday and many evenings, which gives me the ability to always play free football. The opportunities in Luton for youth engagement and footballing opportunities are endless, especially for me growing up in Marsh Farm.
Regarding England, it was disappointing that we lost in the Euros Final, but the team are young with a multicultural mix and very talented with a positive future ahead. Gareth Southgate needs to play a more attacking team with Rashford, Sancho, and Sterling up top.
What are the football opportunities for girls in your community?
PL Kicks also has many opportunities for girls. They run girl-only sessions and courses, such as refereeing, coaching, first aid, and many more. At the mixed session, the girls join in and are always welcome to come and play.
The Luton program trains girls on Thursday. However, the problem is with advertising the opportunities. Some girls don’t know that the opportunities are there for them to improve themselves and play football for teams.
