Charlie Webster Blog
Sport: Changing Lives
August 18, 2011
Filed Under Sky Sports
Sport has played such an important part in my life and still does. When I was younger it was my saviour to deal with the problems I was going through. It gave me a sense of belonging, self-worth and made me feel good about myself. It was my release, my escape. I 100% believe in sport and the impact it can have on lives. I have seen it so many times and have experienced it myself.
Since I was a teenager I have been working with kids through sport, it has always been an ingrained passion of mine. As soon as I was old enough, at 17 years old, I passed my play scheme qualifications and whilst I was studying lead an afterschool sports club in a deprived area of Sheffield, where I was brought up. This is why I have been filming the special report, Sport: Changing Lives, for Sky Sports News.
This year, amongst other schemes, I have been visiting the amazing St Matthews project in Brixton that uses football to help the local children and young people to fulfil their potential and have a positive outlet in their lives. They have no facilities, just the local park; the kids turn up sometimes half an hour before the sessions and don’t want to leave. The first time I went in, no cameras, we stayed an hour after the session was due to finish and played football until there was not a sign of daylight left. One child telling me the project was their life.
I also spent a term in an urban secondary school in Slough, going in every Tuesday for half a day. I took the kids outside with the aim of using sport to improve their behaviour, school work and their self-confidence. Lack of confidence was the big common problem amongst the kids. Self-esteem was minimal; they just didn’t believe they were good enough.
I don’t want to give it all away so I hope you’ll tune in on Monday 22nd August at 730pm on Sky Sports News, it will also be on anytime following the broadcast and Sky Sports website.
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