Free weekly football session for teenage asylum seekers set up in Northampton

A free, weekly football session for teenage asylum seekers has been started up in Northampton with help from university students.

The 'world in motion' scheme is a place where 14-19 year-olds from across the world enjoy a simple game of football for an hour every Saturday at the University of Northampton's Waterside campus.

The club is led by FFA Escola, a charter standard football club in Northampton, and supported by volunteer coaches from the University of Northampton.

While participants are also being given free English lessons by volunteers from Student Action for Refugees at Northampton's university.

The scheme is funded through Sport England's Satellite Club project, which develops new sporting opportunities for 14-19 year-olds across Northamptonshire.

Matthew Peleszok from Satellite Club said: "Through the funding we have received from Sport England we have been able to set up this exciting new opportunity for teenagers in Northampton.

"We have seen 15 players join the sessions led be FFA Escola over the first few weeks which has been great to see.

"I am also delighted that some university students have volunteered their time to support the football sessions but also that Student Action for Refugees – Northampton have provided English lessons to go alongside the football."

For anyone interested in attending or volunteering, visit northamptonshiresport.org/worldinmotion