This new location is an expansion of the brilliant work LALIGA and Bloomsbury do together, with the support of FUNDACIÓN LALIGA, and ensures their partnership is continuing to increase the opportunities for young players to experience the power of football in the UK. Harris Academy will welcome more young boys and girls for many years to come and help to grow access to football, a key focus for the project.
To celebrate the milestone, LALIGA and Bloomsbury Football will collaborate with former professional footballer Frédéric Kanouté, who will be attending a session to speak to the players, watch and engage with the teams. He will also be speaking with attending media on the day to discuss the partnership.
Frédéric is passionate about all young people having access to football, whether this is through his charities in Mali or in his adopted home city of London. He understands the importance of grassroots football and ensuring equal access and opportunity for young players and previously attended a LALIGA x Bloomsbury Football session in 2023.
Since officially launching in mid-2022, the impact of the partnership between LALIGA and Bloomsbury Football has been significant, having welcomed to-date more than 200 participating players. The collaboration sees LALIGA and its clubs, together with FUNDACIÓN LALIGA, who contributes to improving the skills of project members through training focused on promoting the positive values of football and their application in daily life, continue to support the pioneering work of Bloomsbury Football, who currently engage with over 5,000 young people in London each week.
In addition to the previous Kanouté visit in 2023, past highlights have included former Spain women’s international Vicky Losada attending last year’s Girls Schools’ finals day and an appearance from CD Leganés mascot Super Pepino.
LALIGA’s clubs have continued to lend their support, with a record number (16) participating in the initiative this season. This means this season features two mixed weekend tournaments across two North London locations, up from just one in previous seasons, plus a girls-only competition through a collaboration with local schools as part of both organisations’ ongoing commitment to grow the women’s game.
Underlining the partnership’s growth year-on-year, CVC, through the CVC Foundation, a network-wide philanthropy programme, has also stepped up to offer support for the programme starting in 2024/25.
Charlie Hyman, CEO of Bloomsbury said: “With the opening of our new site at Harris Academy, we are excited to expand our reach and bring these opportunities to even more young footballers. We are also thrilled to have Frédéric Kanouté in attendance to inspire and motivate the next generation of players. Going forward this season, as we always do, we will ensure that our sessions are accessible to all.”
Keegan Pierce, Director of International Relations at LALIGA said: "Our partnership with Bloomsbury Football has grown year on year, and we are especially honoured to have former LALIGA players like Frédéric Kanouté, supporting this partnership and attending the session in April. His presence will inspire young LALIGA fans, while helping to expand our reach and impact in the community.”