A massive thank you to Xavier Miller from IQ Boxing for supporting KickOff@3's new charity initiative SpinOff@3. Xavier is currently in Portugal training Dillion Whyte for his next big fight but still found time to jump on his exercise bike to promote SpinOff@3.

SpinOff@3 has been featured in long-term KickOff@3 supporter The VOICE (online). THE VOICE, founded in 1982, is the only British national black weekly newspaper operating in the United Kingdom. It is owned by GV Media Group Limited, and is aimed at the British African-Caribbean community. The paper is based in London and is published every Thursday.

In a joint statement, the founders of KickOff@3 said: “As the proud co founders of Kickoff@3 we are excited at launching our new national initiative of Spinoff@3 in good support of S.W.I.M and YouWeMe. We hope lots of money will be raised whilst working all together for vital causes.”.

Read the full article here.

KickOff@3 are proud to announce Kevin Lema as a KickOff@3 Ambassador. Kevin, as a Development Coach and Communities Engagement Officer not only shares KickOff@3's passion for football, but also for young people. He's dedicated to improving outcomes and futures for young people and we can't think of many people who are a greater fit as a KickOff@3 Ambassador.

Given the changes to all aspects of life, the 2020 planned KickOff@3 Tournaments have been postponed until it is safe to hold them. At KickOff@3 we understand that for many families and individuals across the country this is a very difficult time. There are financial, health and social difficulties being faced by many. Not only is this time a challenge for families and individuals, but it is also presenting increasing challenges for charities. As the majority of fundraising halted overnight, charities are working incredibly hard to come up with new ways of generating income.  Embedded within the KickOff@3 ethos are three fundamental principles: supporting charities, promoting health and wellbeing and providing opportunities for our young people.

KickOff@3 are just as committed to fulfilling our aims as we were pre-lockdown and will be post-lockdown. Working together with our team we have come up with a new lockdown project called SpinOff@3 and we implore all forces that were scheduled to run KickOff@3 Tournaments to now look at running this new project during lockdown.

SpinOff@3 is a cycling challenge for anyone, that can be done whilst socially distancing, with the chance for contestants to win goodies, all whilst raising money for charity. Although it is designed for cycles, anything with wheels can be used (except cars) such as scooters, skateboards and roller skates. We are encouraging all forces who would be taking part if KickOff@3 2020 was running as usual to consider running their own SpinOff@3 project.

Michael and Ashley will be running a local SpinOff@3 Herts. Check out the promo video below.

The Irish FA Foundation has delivered its first-ever online workshop as part of the Stay Onside community programme. Working in partnership with The Bytes Project, Irish FA Foundation Community Relations Officer Chris Wright delivered the video conference on Friday (May 1).

The Bytes Project is an organisation which seeks to help young people in their personal development. They are supporting the Irish FA to offer a range of workshops such as football coaching, refereeing and mental health. 

The topic was Racism Awareness and Equality, part of a new workshop called ‘Everybody’s Game’. The aim of the course is to inform and challenge attendees, ahead of their KickOff@3 BAME focussed UK wide tournament, organised and held by the police service in Britain. There are different regional tournaments with the Northern Ireland heat planned for 30 August, with the winner travelling to London for the finals on the 13 September.

You can read the full article here.

Sportside partnered up with our co-founder Ashley Levien to look at community messages and how teamwork and focus is the key to winning this game.

Lockdown is bringing a variety of new challenges for virtually everyone and this thoughtful and forward thinking article looks at the ways in which we can help get each other through these turbulent times.

You can read the full article here.

Michael Wallace made his debut on Channel 4 on April 2020. Taking part in a MET Police recruitment advert "Do The Job".

Do the job that helps keep nearly nine million Londoners safe.

The challenges of policing London are unlike anywhere else and so are the opportunities and rewards.

You’ll be encouraged to be the best you can be, and rewarded with the satisfaction that you are making a real difference to our great city.

Do the job that’s like no other. Do something real. Become a police officer today ➡️ www.metpolicecareers.co.uk/new...

Michael took part in this recruitment advert because he's passionate about the MET Police being an inclusive and diverse organisation and wanted to utilise his role to inspire and encourage other BAME individuals to consider the MET Police as a viable option and something that anyone regardless or race or ethnicity can be part of. Watch the full video here.

3 weeks into lockdown, with everyone pretty much confined to their homes it's not surprising that our creative young people are using their hobbies to fill their time. 

Our young volunteer Sofia has been taking photos for KickOff@3 and our sister project TipOff@3 for some time. 

In October 2019 she attended St Albans Chamber of Commerce Community Business Awards with Michael, Ashley, Shane and Verity (all key members of the KickOff@3 family) and took photographs of the event. The resident photographer for the event was incredibly supportive giving Sofia opportunities to take photos at key moments, giving her advice and support. 

Since lockdown begun, photo-taking opportunities could be considered hard to come by. But that has not prevented Sofia from getting creative and using the space and items she does have at her disposal. One of our favourites so far is her colour shot of a dandelion taken on a Canon EOS 1300D.

To see more of Sofia's work head to her Instagram account @sofialamonicaphotography

As key partners of KickOff@3 it may not be surprising that KickOff@3 have featured in their blog. The article, described by Michael as "very warming" provides a fantastic overview of KickOff@3 and really communicates the key ethos and attitudes.

But more recently Sportside have set their eyes on even more adventurous sights. Their March Edition of their new #Sportsider magazine has launched.

There are many reasons that we can try to uncover as to why humans have always enjoyed playing and participating in games, but ultimately it falls to the same thing. It is an intrinsic and wonderful part of being human. #Sportsider is a representation of this. Highlighting the magnificent people and businesses involved in the sports community around the world. Written by sport lovers for sport lovers our monthly publication aims to be insightful, entertaining and engaging. Showcasing what goes into the sporting industry to keep the wheels turning.

You can read the March Edition here including the interview with Michael. 

With the world in lockdown, this is a lighter interview and introduction to some community-minded people doing good work. A nice break from the barrage on social media.

This week at the conversation lab we are joined by Tony and Michael Wallace. Father and son respectively who talk about their life together as well as a part and how they have remained connected over the years with love and soccer.

Tony was one of the originals who put Roots Reggae on the air at Co-op Radio and hails from Jamaica; Michael is a "Bobby" in London and during this conversation, both son and father share their stories.

Soccer has been a constant theme in the family and its not surprising that Michael with his good friend Ashley Levein started Kickoff@3.In less than three years, they have expanded from 6 tournaments facilitated by 150 volunteers with over 4,000 young players from all over London. Dad (Tony) hopes to be able to bring Kickoff@3 to Canada and work with young people in Vancouver.

Tony and Michael are certainly “changemakers” doing their very best to make a difference. In this episode, they tell some personal stories about their family, life in Jamaica and London, racism, their desire to help kids and much more. I hope you can join us this Sunday at 10 am on CFRO FM and on your favourite podcasting platform.