It has been almost 20 years since the murder of QPR youth footballer Kiyan Prince in Edgware, but his legacy continues to grow through the dedicated work of his community.

At 15, Prince was one of the academy’s most promising talents until he became the victim of one of the most notorious stabbings to have taken place in London.

The Kiyan Prince Foundation was established by Prince’s father in 2008 to not only carry on the legacy of his son but to help young people deter themselves from acts of violence and empower themselves.

COO Jon Guymer discussed in further detail the array of objectives the foundations strive to meet.

He said: “As Director of Operations at the Kiyan Prince Foundation, I see firsthand the vital role we play in empowering young people to make positive life choices.

“Our work is about more than just honoring Kiyan’s legacy, it’s about creating real change in our communities by tackling the root causes of youth violence and offering mentorship, , and opportunities.

“We provide young people with the tools and guidance they need to believe in themselves and build brighter futures, and that impact resonates far beyond any single individual.”

Guymer forms part of a team who are collectively responsible for heading events such as the future champions programme, community-based talks, and a dedicated research team based on youth crime.

Knife-crime incidents have seen a 16% increase in the last recorded data collected in June 2024, a 14-year high according to The Ben Kinsella Trust.

Foundation ambassador Daniel Healy aims to complete eight million steps between February and the end of December, taking 25,000 steps a day, along with 50km run and 100m challenge.

Healy, an ambassador for the foundation, hopes his fundraiser #8millionforKiyan will draw funding to evolve the future champion’s programme, which a boxing-focused programme.

He said: “Every hour we can get the kids into the gyms is an hour they are not on the streets getting into trouble, so the more we raise, the bigger impact we can have.

“One of my big goals in life is to help create a Gold Medal Winning boxer down the line.

“We’re identifying youngsters similar to the ones we work with at Kiyan Prince Foundation, giving them a chance, giving them the they need, the positive role models they need, in order to feel more confident and to feel more positive.”

Healy suggested that the ability to become a champion in the programe will embody the rewards of avoiding anti-social environments.

He added: “Once they’ve settled into a routine with the boxing, many will have a positive impact on the community around them and society around them.

“One or two may have just what it takes to climb the ranks and become a champion, a gold medal winner, the best version of themselves. That is what I’d love to be part of. The whole process from start to finish.”

The foundation has benefitted massively from the work of external foundations, specifically the QPR trust, who played a pivotal part in Prince’s life.

To those involved within the club the foundation is a cause close to their hearts, with Loftus Road being renamed to the Kiyan Prince Foundation stadium in his honor.

FIFA also incorporated Prince into their FIFA 21 gameplay sporting a QPR kit which gained massive publicity within the footballing community and picked up several awards.

QPR in the Community Trust have dedicated their own programes to encouraging community engagement through educational and sporting initiatives for those who have been caught up in crime and are seeking a reformed lifestyle.

Communications and Marketing officer Saif Atrakji explained the importance the impact of the club itself on these relevant community causes and how the presence of the clubs fanbase form the bedrock for for these causes.

He said: “We really must rely on our local community, fans in the local area, and the newer fans.

“You look at White City, and the area around Shepherds Bush, it’s completely different to what the area was 30 years ago.

“It’s about changing our model, changing our targets to really tend to the needs of the local community.

“It’s utilizing the power of the badge, to keep the QPR badge powerful, a lot of people know us, how can we utilize the power that we’ve got to really relate to the community around us?”

These external foundations have allowed crossovers between communities all across London to unify and become a singular driving force in promoting the legacy that Prince leaves behind.

Featured image copyright Steve Daniels and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

The post Foundation tackling crime two decades on from murder of QPR youth footballer appeared first on South West Londoner.

The charitable arm of Harlequins Rugby Club is launching a match-funding campaign running for just two weeks starting today to raise £24,000 to enable the delivery of a mental health programme for primary school children in London.

The Harlequin’s Foundation has launched a fundraising initiative with Big Give to its METTLE program, delivering mental health workshops for children aged 5-11. Every donation made by June 17 will be doubled.

There has reportedly been a significant increase in poor mental health amongst young people since the pandemic, further exacerbated by the prevalence of cost of living crisis.

The Mental Health Foundation report half of mental health issues are established by the age of 14.

Alex Dombrandt, captain of the Harlequins Men’s team said: “Life is tough for young people right now, but METTLE is helping them build resilience through sport. 

“Every pound you give will be doubled and makes a real difference to the young people we work with.” 

Running since 2016, the METTLE programme offers a six week series of interactive, evidence based workshops conducted in London schools, focusing on positive psychology and solution focused thinking to equip children with essential skills to manage emotions, overcome setbacks and foster positive mental health. 

Rugby provides a positive outlet and boosts endorphins vital for promoting a strong sense of self and better mental health.  

Matt Shillabear, Head of Harlequins Foundation programmes said: “Our purpose with METTLE is to provide young people with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of today’s world.”

“By integrating the power of sport and the unique spirit of Harlequins, we aim to inspire and educate, ensuring our youth are better prepared for the mental health challenges they face.”

Alongside weekly sessions that take place both in the classroom and on the sports field, at least one teacher in each school engaged with the programme will undertake a Mental Health First Aid course to enable them to identify struggling pupils.

In 2023-24, the foundation gave 857 young people vital skills to combat their mental health challenges now and in the future.

As a result, 8% achieved an immediate reduction in emotional problems, 11% had an increased positive attitude at school and 15% made positive lifestyle changes following the six week programme.  

The foundation’s work is concentrated in Richmond, Kingston, Hounslow, Croydon, Merton and Wandsworth – six boroughs that surround The Stoop and are dedicated to working with young people living in the poorest areas to address the deprivation-related challenges they face.  

Funds raised will directly the delivery of the METTLE programme in schools, ensuring more children benefit from this vital intervention. 

The campaign runs from 3 – 17 June, for more information or to make a donation, please visit: https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS000002BrPdYAK?c=78969

Images Courtesy of Harlequins Foundations Communications team

The post Harlequins Foundation campaign to double donations for mental health workshops appeared first on South West Londoner.

Nigeria lifted the Unity Cup in West London on Saturday, beating Jamaica 5-4 on penalties after an exciting 90 minutes which saw four goals. 

Although Jamaica easily boasted the largest number of ers on the evening at Brentford‘s Gtech Community Stadium, it was Nigeria who took control of the game when Moses Simon beat the ‘keeper to a long ball and slotted home inside 10 minutes. 

Jamaica were quick to respond to their opponents taking an early lead, however, as a Renaldo Cephas surged down the left wing to play in Jonathon Russel who calmly slotted it into the bottom right corner two minutes later. 

As Russel cupped his hands to his ears, it was clear the Reggae Boyz were back in the game. 

Nigeria’s Cyriel Dessers set up their next attack in the 22nd minute, maneuvering around a four-man Jamaican defensive line shoot straight at the keeper, whose fumble was leapt onto by the waiting Samuel Chukwueze. However, stopper Davis managed to hold on. 

Just when the Super Eagles were looking the more dangerous of the two sides, Jamaica responded quickly on the counter and the Gtech erupted when Rumarn Burrell was brought down by Nigeria’s Samuel Chukwueze in the box, although referee Stuart Atwell kept his cards in his pocket. 

Both sides were amped up from the booming noise inside the stadium, resulting in battles played out in the midfield, though Atwell was happy to let the game flow. 

The scuffles did not go unpunished for much longer, though, as Jamaican goalscorer Russel was warned for a heavy challenge in the 37th minute, and saw yellow less than 60 second later for a shove on Nigerian captain Wilfred Ndidi. 

Tensions continued to build in first-half added time, with Nigeria awarded a free kick after a foul by Kasey Palmer, although they failed to capitalise as the opening 45 minutes ended 1-1. 

Both teams looked more settled after the break, beginning to work through the midfield, but Nigeria found their rhythm fasest.

They retook the lead when Nathan Tella played on Samuel Chuckwueze, who side-stepped around Cephas to fire it into the bottom right corner in the 53rd minute.

The cheers echoed across Brentford as Nigerian fans were bolstered once more by their one-goal lead, while the amplified emotions of the players led to another tussle on field, leading to Nigerian keeper Stanley Nwabali being shown a yellow card. 

It wouldn’t be long before the Nigeria stopper was beatem for a second time either, as Cephas whipped in a cross which landed for Russel to fire home his second of the game and bring Jamaica level at 2-2. 

Having dropped their lead for a second time, Nigeria piled on the pressure for the remaining 20 minutes of the game. 

In contrast to the end-to-end play before the break, Jamaica struggled to work into Nigeria’s half, although Cephas forced keeper Davis to meet him off his line just short of 70 minutes.

At the other end of the pitch, substitute Tolu Arokodare saw three opportunities in the box sail over the crossbar. 

Nigeria continued to work relentlessly, carried in part by the efforts of AC Milan’s Chuckwueze as he caused Jamaica problems down to the right wing.

As the clock ticked down, Chuckwueze later went for goal himself despite the raised arms of his team-mates, with the long-range effort pushed past the left post by Davis.

Three minutes of added time came and went as Warner Brown lobbed the ball forward which was calmly collected by the Nigerian defence as the full-time whistle blew. 

With the match going straight to penalties, Richard Kings and Isaac Hayden both coolly converted from the spot for Jamaica, while Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon and Tolu Arokodare found the net for Nigeria. 

Yet Dwayne Atkinson hit the crossbar for the Reggae Boyz, leaving Christantus Uche to fire home the winning penalty for Nigeria.

Celebrations rang out across the Gtech for the Super Eagles, boosted by a pitchside performance from Nigerian star D’Banj.

It felt a tad harsh on the Jamaican side having to stand through D’Banj hits medley and a DJ set pre-trophy ceremony.

Although Nigeria were the favorites heading into the game, the Reggae Boyz certainly held their own to take the final to a penalty shoot out.

As Nigeria hoisted the Unity Cup, the stadium announcers calls for another tournament next year were met with loud cheers from the crowd in Brentford, ensuring the continued celebration of the nations with deep community connections in the capital.

All pictures: Bella Shepherd-Evans.

The post Nigeria beat Jamaica on penalties to claim Unity Cup triumph appeared first on South West Londoner.

In a small pocket of Wimbledon, a little gym attached to Joseph Hood primary school, a boxing and kickboxing club is making a profound impact on its trainees.

Regardless of whether you are a beginner or have had vast amounts of training in the sports, the club welcomes anybody of any age to work towards their personal goals.

One trainee, Poppy, who has used boxing explained that the club has provided a gateway to overcome her past internal struggles.

She said: “After lockdown I have struggled with my mental and physical health, I couldn’t do sport for a while.

“When I could go back to sport all I wanted to do was boxing – it’s really helped me.”

The trainees attend weekly sessions which combine a variety of sparring and fitness drills to maintain a standard of self-discipline.

Featured image credit: pxhere

The post The Wimbledon gym making a huge impact on people’s lives appeared first on South West Londoner.

Fulham finished an impressive 11th place in the Premier League this season, but face the recurring prospect of going into the new campaign with an ageing squad. 

The West London side, who have enjoyed their third season back in the top flight, have an average squad age of 28 years old according to stats published by Transfermarkt.

This sees them top of the rankings, followed by league counterparts Everton and West Ham, but far ahead of Chelsea who have the youngest squad, averaging younger than 24. 

Ahead of the 25/26 season Fulham will be delighted by their form, but by the fact that a lion’s share of teams with an excessively high average squad age have eventually struggled if not rectified. 

The fear is that a side that goes for players who are more senior will only make an impact on a short-term basis, and despite the clubs transfer market formula a lot of Fulham’s players might be past their peak quality.

Long time match-goer Seb Voysey shared his concerns ahead of their last game of the season against Manchester City where the Cottagers fielded one player under the age of 24, to City’s five. 

He said: “Fulham’s ageing squad is a concern. 

“The average squad age is 27.9, one of the oldest in the league. Older players bring experience, but they’re more injury-prone, have little resale value, and often lack intensity in the latter stages of games. 

“We’ve lost 28 points from winning positions this season (second-most in the league), which could point to a lack of energy and control late in games.”

Unavoidable circumstances occur in the form of injuries, suspensions and potential outgoing that erode at the sides younger crop. 

It could however be an indication that Silva needs to try his hand with more academy/ young players due to the acknowledged dangers older squads are presented with. 

Voysey believes incorporating this into Fulham’s approach in this summer market could be pivotal for next season’s success.

He added:  “There’s also a risk that if several key older players leave in a short space of time, we’ll face a sudden drop in leadership. 

“It is clear that Fulham need to shift their transfer strategy – focusing more on younger, high-potential players who can grow at the club or be sold for profit, rather than looking to ‘revive’ older players such as Raheem Sterling. 

“Blending youth and experience is fine, but right now the balance is off. 

“We need to be brave and invest in young, hungry players – not fall back on safe, short-term fixes for players nearing the end of their careers.”

Beyond suggestions Fulham are weighing up whether to take on Chelsea outcast Sterling, they have been linked to Josip Juranovic, 29, Kasper Dolberg, 27, and Joe Willock, 25, perhaps indicating that there will be no major reformation of their previous approach. 

The Cottagers should remain wary considering the other sides that have the higher average squad ages have been West Ham and Everton over the past two seasons, sides that have slumped from heights of previous seasons.

Featured image courtesy of Unsplash

The post Fulham face ageing squad issue heading into next season appeared first on South West Londoner.

Arsenal’s matchday ticket sales revenue are almost double that of rivals Chelsea according to UEFA.

The Blues earned £71m from ticket sales during the 23/24 season while the Gunners nearly doubled it receiving £127m from the season.

In fact, Chelsea placed sixth in the Premier League for ticket sales behind each of their closest league rivals. 

The Athletic’s Chelsea reporter, Liam Twomey said: “You can put ticket prices up but that is hugely unpopular, which the owners have already done, but that can only boost income so much.

“The hard ceiling of Stamford Bridge means Chelsea have to make other operating decisions – they have to reach the Champions League. 

“It is more important for Chelsea to qualify for the Champions League than Tottenham who have one of the finest modern stadiums in Europe which provides a higher floor for matchday revenue.”

Chelsea earned as much – £15m – for winning the Conference League as Slovan Bratislava did for losing every game of their Champions League campaign. 

The Blues did however qualify for the 25/26 Champions League season, their first time in the competition since 2022.

Chelsea’s biggest issue is that their stadium, Stamford Bridge, has a capacity of 40,341 compared to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, which can house 60,704.

The Blues have explored building a new stadium or moving to a new site on several occasions, but have been unable to make concrete plans. 

Twomey added: “The capacity of Stamford Bridge means that Chelsea will always be operating at a revenue deficit relative to their rivals when it comes to matchday income.

“There are no great solutions to that problem for Chelsea’s ownership, a new stadium whether its at Stamford Bridge or elsewhere is incredibly difficult to pull off and will take years in the best case scenario.”

The complexity of either avenue has prevented the club from having a bigger stadium. 

SW6, where Stamford Bridge is located, is incredibly built up meaning there is little space for the stadium to increase its capacity. 

Chelsea do eclipse Manchester City and Liverpool for average income per fan, per home game, at £59.76 compared to City’s £50.63 and the Reds £55.61. 

But the Blues are comfortable behind leaders Arsenal at £84.66 and Tottenham at £79.68. 

Tottenham’s new stadium which opened in 2019, complete with state-of-the-art features and extended hospitality offerings. 

Uefa’s report suggests that stadiums which have increased seating and hospitality options generate revenues nearly double those that have not. 

Twomey said: “This even affects transfers – it affects what they can pay players in salary, it affects their recruitment model which is part of the reason as to why they are so determined to buy young, so that they can trade players profitably.”

Featured image credit: Jason Bagley via Wikimedia Commons under CC BY-SA 2.0 licence

The post Arsenal’s matchday ticket sales revenue double that of Chelsea appeared first on South West Londoner.

In a city that never slows down, weekends in London offer the perfect chance to take a breath and reset before the chaos of Monday returns.

Whether the past week felt like a blur of meetings or back-to-back tasks, the capital has a way of offering balance.

It is not just about resting, it is about doing the kind of activities that actually recharge you.

Think less about ticking off a to-do list and more about enjoying the rhythm of the city in a calmer gear.

Watching sport as a social reset 2s6z22

For many, the weekend does not start until the match kicks off.

London is a top city for live sport, and watching a game can quickly lift the mood.

From Premier League fixtures lighting up screens in pubs to live boxing, tennis or rugby shown across sports bars, the city becomes a magnet for fans looking to switch off from stress and plug into ion.

Places like Greenwood in Victoria or The Dugout in London Bridge offer massive screens, solid food, and a crowd that brings energy without going overboard.

If you are more into local football, clubs like Dulwich Hamlet have a loyal community vibe where the matchday experience is more about connection than chaos.

Watching sport in London is less about distraction and more about recharging through shared moments.

Quiet corners in bustling boroughs 394u1f

One of the best ways to reset over the weekend is to find a quiet patch of London that still feels alive.

Hampstead Heath offers wide views and wild trails, perfect for a long walk without leaving the city.

Richmond Park is another spot where time slows down, especially if you catch sight of the deer herds moving through the grass.

If the weather turns, places like the British Library or the Garden Museum offer indoor calm with just enough interest to keep you present.

While you’re indoors, catching up on your social media feed, streaming an episode of your favourite show, or playing some online games is a great idea.

Many people visit the best online casinos UK players can with for a few hands of blackjack or some spins on a slot machine for a bit more excitement while stuck indoors.

Even a slow walk through the backstreets of Marylebone or around the canals in Little Venice can give that rare feeling of space in a packed city.

Markets and local finds 1a2x2s

Resetting does not always mean staying still.

Sometimes, you recharge by switching environments.

Wandering through markets like Broadway Market in Hackney or Maltby Street in Bermondsey can be oddly refreshing.

The sounds, smells, and easy pace of browsing with no set plan can clear your head without needing a full plan or agenda.

For something more tucked away, the Columbia Road Flower Market on Sundays is worth a look.

The street gets packed, but it still feels like a different kind of energy.

Surrounded by colour, live music, and people just enjoying themselves, it becomes hard to stay in work mode.

A local bite without the rush 5i4f1z

London is full of food, but not all of it hits the reset button.

Local cafes in areas like Stoke Newington, Tooting, or Crystal Palace offer something more grounded.

You get food made with care, regulars chatting, and no rush to move on.

A proper breakfast or a slow coffee in a setting that feels more neighbourhood than city can shift the whole tone of the weekend.

Try brunch at Café Van Gogh in Brixton, which is fully vegan and run as a social enterprise, or stop at Bear + Wolf in Tufnell Park for laid-back vibes and a seriously good flat white.

Food tastes different when the setting matches the mood you are chasing.

Creative Outlets to Shift the Mindset 5w5p21

Sometimes the best recharge is one that keeps your hands busy.

Pottery sessions, life drawing, zine-making workshops, or even trying out a recording booth at a community radio station can reset the brain and reduce stress, in a way ive rest does not.

Studios like Token Studio near Tower Bridge or M.Y.O in Borough offer classes where you make something with your hands and forget about your inbox for a few hours.

If staying out feels like too much, even picking up supplies from art stores in Soho or Shoreditch and sketching at home with music playing can be enough to give your weekend purpose without pressure.

Conclusion ze67

Weekends in London can recharge you without needing to escape the city.

Whether it is watching sport with mates, wandering a market, finding a quiet green space, or ing a small creative event, the capital has its own rhythm for reset.

It is about choosing spaces and moments that give something back, helping you meet the new week with your head clear and your energy topped up.

Feature image: Free to use from Pixabay

The post Weekend recharge: How to reset in London before Monday hits appeared first on South West Londoner.

The Fulham Foundation held a sleep out at Craven Cottage, in collaboration with homeless charity SPEAR, to raise money in aid of rough sleepers in the area.

Participants were given a taste of the struggles faced by rough sleepers during the winter months, and fundraised more than £13,000, a record for the event.

The event began with a stadium tour, taking attendees into the Chairman’s Lounge, dressing rooms and of course the famous cottage, as the guide discussed the heritage of the ground and history of the football club with eager Fulham fans.

Before clambering into the terraces for the sleep out, attendees gathered for a Q&A with former Fulham players, Les Strong and Barry Hayles, with the evening culminating in a talk from SPEAR CEO Tim Fallon.

Watch the video below to find out more.

The post Craven Cottage sleep out raises important funds to combat rough sleeping appeared first on South West Londoner.

The average attendance for Women’s Super League matches decreased by nearly 10% across the 2024/25 season, data from Football Web Pages has revealed.

After two years of steep increases following EURO 2022 and the Lionesses’ campaign at the World Cup in 2023, average turnout for top-flight games dropped to below 7,000 over the last nine months.

The domestic set-up has not been afforded the boost from eyes on England’s national side, with the Lionesses’ failure to qualify for the Olympics last summer resulting in the lack of a major tournament for the first time in four years.

Speaking to The Times, co-host of the women’s football business podcast Expected Goals Matt Cutler said: “Last season’s average attendance was artificially high. We were coming off two summers of the Lionesses doing well on terrestrial TV.”

Following Sarina Wiegman‘s truimph with England three summers ago, the 2022-23 season average attendance was nearly 5,500 – increasing 187% on the previous season. With another climb to average crowds of over 7,000 fans in 2023-24, this season’s footfall has revealed a 9% decrease.

In addition, five of the 11 clubs which featured in last season’s campaign witnessed drops in matchday footfall, including significant decline for Arsenal and Manchester United.

For the first time in their history, the Gunners played nine WSL games at the Emirates this season, but their average turnout compared to last year’s number represents a drop of nearly 18,000 fans.

However, playing at the 60,000-capacity ground is not a rarity for Arsenal anymore, meaning it is more likely that crowds would decrease against smaller sides like Leicester City and Everton where there is less hope for a blockbuster fixture.

Arsenal er Amelia Harris said: “The WSL crowds have decreased because the momentum of the football has slowed down a bit.

“I don’t think that the marketing and the information about women’s football is as accessible as it maybe was during the Euros.

“I think a lot of the players have had media training, as they should. But I think that does take a bit of the personal element out of it which I do think affects how much people WSL football in a weird way.”

“I don’t find it quite as exciting. l don’t feel like there’s that unpredictability.”

Arsenal are not the only top-flight club to move all their WSL matches to their larger counterpart stadium in recent seasons – Aston Villa and Leicester City also host their 11 home games at Villa Park and the King Power Stadium respectively.

Harris said: “It does show that Arsenal are serious about committing some serious money forward even when the attendance isn’t like overwhelmingly impressive. It is particularly impressive for a WSL team.”

Manchester United also exemplify the drop in matchday footfall, with the northern club’s average attendance dropping by over 3,500 fans across the last 12 months.

The Red Devils lost a number of household names in last summer’s transfer window, with the likes of goalkeeper Mary Earps moving to Paris Saint Germain and captain Katie Zelem g for Angel City in the NWSL.

However, several clubs across the top-flight witnessed steady growth in their matchday attendance, with Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and this season’s champions Chelsea attracting a higher number of fans to matches across the season.

The post Lack of major tournament for England blamed as WSL crowds drop by nearly 10% appeared first on South West Londoner.

The Clapham Feelers, an LGBTQ+ touch rugby team based in South London, are using sport to promote inclusion, accessibility, and social connection on Clapham Common.

Historically, sports like rugby have had a reputation for being exclusionary to queer players.

Several Feelers teammates say they disengaged from school sports in the past due to a lack of safe spaces to be themselves.

Founded in 2016, the Clapham Feelers have grown into a community of more than 240 , welcoming players of all genders, sexualities, ages, and experience levels.

Co-founder Trent Sparks said: “Our philosophy is inclusivity. 

“We play touch rugby because it’s easier to pick up and not as daunting – it makes the sport more accessible for everyone to come in and have some fun.”

The team trains twice a week and follow their sessions with social events, which players say are just as important as the rugby itself. 

Over the course of nine years, the club has become a space for LGBTQ+ people and allies to meet, build confidence, and express themselves.

Club player Brandon Frost said: “Before I ed the team, I didn’t have a group of gay friends. 

“Being with the club opened my circle up to more LGBT people than I would ever have met otherwise.”

Find out more in the video below.

The post WATCH: Clapham Feelers – London’s touch rugby club waving the LGBTQ+ flag appeared first on South West Londoner.