From this exciting initiative’s smaller beginnings last year of 6 tournaments in Havering, Bromley, Waltham Forest, Hammersmith & Fulham and Barnet and the finale in Waltham Forest, the confirmed dates and locations this year are more than doubling the interest with potentially more to follow.

Kickoff@3 return to London as the main organisers and hosts of the finale of their successful national football tournament, where young people from diverse communities across the UK will be competing this weekend. For the past 5 months, officers working on boroughs across the Met and in other constabularies have assisted in facilitating tournaments where local teams have taken part in this programme. This year saw more than 1000 young people taking part in the KickOff@3 football tournaments. Music artist, 'Tricks Rtb' has performed at a number of these events while sharing his positive messages through music.

KickOff@3 was established by PC Michael Wallace and Mr Ashley Levien, who runs his own social inclusion organisation called 'Suberbos Community'. Both men, who are based in Barnet, worked together to co-found the initiative. They devised a plan to help establish long lasting relationships between young people and their local police as well as building trust and positive affiliations between the two groups. They have also helped raise awareness and funds for a range of charities who promote health and well-being in young people.

 On Sunday 17th June, 22 teams from across the UK will take part in the ‘Kickoff@3 Daniel De-Gale Football Tournament’ - an all-day 7-a-side football competition at The Warren Metropolitan Police Sports Ground. There will be in excess of 200 players taking part from London, Hertfordshire, Durham, Belfast, Gwent, Wiltshire and the West Midlands. Guests on the day include the MPS Commissioner, Cressida Dick; Shaun Wallace from ‘The Chase’; Dr Neville Lawrence OBE, Dr Angela Herbert; Beverley De-Gale OBE & Orin Lewis OBE from ACLT and many more.

The ‘Kickoff@3 Daniel De-Gale Football Tournament’ is named after Daniel De-Gale, a vibrant young man who was the first black person in the UK to receive a stem cell transplant from an unrelated donor. This transplant enabled Daniel to live happily whilst blood cancer-free for several years. Sadly, Daniel passed away at age 21. Daniel’s parents, Beverley De-Gale and Orin Lewis, founded the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT) to raise awareness and educate communities on the lack of donors (stem cell, blood or organ) for African and Caribbean people. They will present the winners’ cup in honour of their son at the finale.

Before the start of the competition, the players and supporters will stand united in a ‘one-minute silence’ orchestrated by Kickoff@3 to remember the young lives that have been lost through violent crime. Family, friends, Community groups and senior police officers from the Metropolitan Police Service and the participating Constabularies will attend to support the competitors. They will also be joined on the day by the RAF, the London Fire Brigade and other keen supporters.

The Metropolitan Black Police Association (MetBPA) have been the main supporters of the project since the start of the initiative in 2016 in Sutton. The MetBPA has not only supported the initiative, but helped in the planning of the tournaments and the upcoming Finale.

PC Michael Wallace quotes, ’This project is about the Community and the Police coming together as one, while working hand in hand to make those key differences. This has helped empower our Kickoff@3 initiative and embed our ethos of #WeBelieve. We’re delighted we are holding this specific event on Father’s Day, as this is key to bringing families together in a safe and fun environment while supporting our young people.

For more information about the initiative, dates of future events/tournaments and how to participate, please visit http://www.kickoffat3.co.uk or Twitter: @KickOffat3.

If there isn't yet an event near you, please contact us, we can help you bring one to your door!