Bringing communities together through football: My experience volunteering at a friendly competition

Angie, Pausa and Tincho from volunteering at Eton

Last Sunday, I had the opportunity to volunteer at a friendly football competition at Eton College with 28 young people and volunteers from various organisations. It was an incredible experience that left a lasting impression on me. As a football enthusiast and a captain for my team, Argentina FC Women, I was thrilled to coach one of the teams, the purple team, which had a mix of young people from different backgrounds.

The event was organised by Breadwinners, GMAX Trackstars Athletics Academy, Hope for the Young, and Argentina FC London, with the aim of bringing young people together to promote teamwork, inclusivity, and social integration. As I watched the young people arrive and take to the field, I could feel the excitement and energy in the air.

It was an amazing sight to see these young people come together as equals, form teams, and compete against each other. Despite the different backgrounds and experiences they came from, they were able to put their differences aside and work together as a team. They were not only giving their best but also having fun while playing the game they all loved.

Watching the young people play with such passion was a sight to behold. It was incredible to see how something as simple as running behind a ball could bring people together, and how sometimes it's better to pass the ball, be a team player and work together to win. The game of football has a way of showing the interdependencies of humans and how teamwork is essential to achieving success.

Angie and the Purple Team!

Being a volunteer coach for the purple team was an unforgettable experience. I was able to encourage, motivate, and provide guidance to the young people on my team. It was a humbling experience to witness their growth and development over the course of the day. They were eager to learn, some showed leadership skills and everyone cared for each other with great respect.

Young people and Argentina FC volunteers!

Overall, the experience was amazing and unique. It was inspiring to see the positive impact that sport can have on young people. I hope to continue volunteering in the future and contribute to creating more opportunities for young people to come together and have fun while building essential life skills. Volunteering is a small thing that requires not much effort, but it can have an unthinkable impact on people's hearts and minds.

Angie