In 2005 a partnership between Manchester City Mission and Barnabus saw a pilot project established in central Manchester. From this venture emerged the vision of a Street Soccer Academy with regional centres in each of the boroughs of Greater Manchester. Street Soccer aims to make a positive impact in the lives of young men on many different levels and this has been evidenced in the positive feedback we receive on a constant basis.

“This is the one thing I look forward to in my week. I have nothing else. This is my one bit of hope” – comment from Street Soccer, Salford
“My doctor asked me what I’d been doing differently in my life so I told him I’d started playing football. He said I’m the healthiest he has ever seen me” – comment from Street Soccer, Manchester

Our focus is the rehabilitation of men who, for a variety of reasons, have become disconnected from society. Through a placement in our soccer academy we aim to deal with issues related to homelessness, low academic achievement, unemployment, crime and drug & alcohol dependency.

The objective is to provide support for those with chaotic lifestyles. Each regional centre provides a weekly soccer session with the option of mentoring/support from our volunteers to help their rehabilitation back into mainstream society.

At the heart of our academy is the belief that our players are important members of society and are potentially valuable resources to the city in which they live.