Past
Projects

Building on a proud legacy of community spirit and sporting excellence, Waterloo Sports & Football Club was delighted to successfully run ‘Waterloo United’ in 2025, an exciting new project for children and young people, designed in collaboration with 12 local young people from our Focus Group.

In partnership with SOWN, London Nautical School, Coin Street and Colombo Centre, we continued our legacy of delivering high-quality, structured sports activities for the community at Hatfields Pitches, engaging 72 young people, 58 of which were from the Waterloo and South Bank Ward.

The project was a huge success and sessions ran smoothly throughout the SoWN grant, helping to build school club-links, increase community cohesion and increase 98% of participants health and wellbeing.

Feedback from our online evaluation included;

“Helps me connect with multiple people from diverse areas, keeping me busy allowing me to avoid mental health issues or bad company.” - Josh

“Waterloo fc sessions are an amazing asset to the Southwark community. Me personally, without Waterloo fc sessions I probably wouldn’t be the player nor person I am today.” - Frankie

In 2003, Waterloo FC was commissioned by Neighbourhood Renewal, PAYP, Peabody Trust, Southwark Council and WCRT to deliver Streetgames, a summer estate based football project on 15 Tabard and Rockingham estates, engaging 450+ children and young people living in Southwark. 

WSFC focused on 10 housing estates in Southwark, successfully increasing sports participation, enhancing sporting and social skills, and positively impacting youth offending, community safety, and community cohesion.

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Participants took pride in selecting managers and building teams to represent their estates, with the programme culminating in the unforgettable Community Games Finals.

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WSFC’s 10 Point Evaluation Plan, which was later adopted to assess the Streetgames programme, highlighting its success and lasting impact on the community. 85% of participants continued their involvement in sports and many went on to lead their own local initiatives.

In partnership with Southwark Council, WSFC delivered the Positive Futures programme, aimed at providing inspiring opportunities for young people to steer them away from crime. Created by young people through our focus group, the initiative included a successful Dragon’s Den-style presentation from four young leaders, securing funding for a local youth football league.

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The programme was incredibly successful, engaging hundreds of young people over four years. The project fostered community cohesion and offered a positive outlet, showcasing the power of sport and youth-led solutions in breaking barriers and addressing local issues.

Playing for Success (PFS) was a unique initiative designed by WSFC, combining football coaching with educational support for 8–11-year-olds in schools in West Walworth, Blackfriars, and Borough. The programme partnered with schools to support pupils at risk of underachievement or exclusion by delivering tailored lessons in numeracy, literacy, and ICT, all linked to football to make learning engaging and accessible for those struggling in traditional settings. The initiative was backed by the Football Association and the Department for Education.

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By fostering teamwork, confidence, and self-discipline through sport, PFS helped students improve both academically and socially. Regular progress reviews and learning agreements ensured commitment and accountability, while the programme strengthened connections between schools, the community, and WSFC, leaving a lasting impact on academic achievement and community cohesion. 

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By equipping schoolteachers with ongoing training in football coaching, this initiative enhanced their skills, confidence, and enthusiasm for sport. It also strengthened schools' capacity to deliver higher-quality physical education, benefiting children and young people.

In an exciting trip, Waterloo teamed up with Ambassadors FC, a global leader in women’s football. The highlight was a friendly match against Crystal Palace FC Women, giving young women the chance to showcase their skills, gain match experience, and build confidence on a professional stage. This project strengthened connections within the football community, inspired young players to aim high and aligned with our mission to empower women through sport.

In recognition of their commitment and contributions over the previous six years, sixteen young people from Waterloo FC were selected for an exchange trip to Holland and Germany with VV Union FC. The trip aimed to engage young people through sport, providing them with the opportunity to learn from their peers in neighbouring countries and experience different cultures.

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By travelling to Europe, the young participants gained a deeper understanding of the socio-economic differences between youth in the UK and those in Europe. The trip allowed them to broaden their perspectives, develop key life skills, and appreciate the global community. Ultimately, Waterloo FC continues to provide real opportunities for young people to expand their horizons and grow through sport.

Waterloo Sports and Football Club (WSFC) partnered with the Plan B Pupil Referral Unit to deliver a tailored sports and mentoring programme for at-risk young people. Aimed at students who faced challenges in traditional education settings, the project combined engaging sports activities with one-to-one specialised mentoring to support personal development, self-discipline, and academic progress.

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Through structured football sessions and multi-sport activities, participants developed key life skills such as teamwork, communication, and resilience. Alongside this, our mentors provided ongoing guidance, helping students to build confidence, improve their behaviour, and re-engage with their education. The programme aimed not only to improve academic outcomes but also to offer a positive outlet for the young people, giving them the tools to overcome personal challenges and build a brighter future.

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The success of this initiative was reflected in improved school attendance, better attitudes towards learning, and a noticeable increase in self-confidence among participants. Many students showed positive shifts in behaviour, renewed sense of purpose and academic performance, demonstrating the lasting impact of combining sports and mentorship for at-risk youth.

WSFC's weekly Double Club's, combine educational support with sports activities to engage young people. The initiative included assessments, mentoring, personal action plans, CV writing, interview techniques, and workshops. Participants also took part in sports such as boxing, football, basketball, and tennis. A standout feature was the FA Level 1 Certificate in Football Coaching Course, where participants gained qualifications, built confidence, and acquired work experience by volunteering alongside experienced WSFC coaches. Many went on to become role models, with 50% volunteering in our summer programme.

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The project was highly successful in preparing year 11 participants for mock GCSEs and mid-year tests, with 95% reporting increased confidence. The balance between sports and education motivated young people, improving their well-being while equipping them with skills and qualifications. 

This summer project, organised by Waterloo Sports and Football Club (WSFC), saw children from the Education Action Zone (EAZ) schools, including Charles Dickens School and Friars Primary School, come together for a six-week football programme. Held at the astroturf pitch provided by The London Fire Brigade, the sessions offered an opportunity for young participants to develop key skills in a fun and supportive environment.

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Each session included a variety of training drills, focusing on speed, agility, ball skills, and mini-soccer matches. In addition to developing football skills, the project aimed to boost participants' confidence, concentration, and teamwork, with many children demonstrating significant improvement over the six weeks.

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The project was highly successful, with an average of 55 children per session, aged 6-11. Feedback from participants revealed an increase in confidence and fitness, with many children expressing how their ball skills and concentration had improved.

Additionally, a number of children showed interest in continuing to play competitive football, leading to the creation of an Under-11 Mini Soccer Team that will competed in the Tandridge Youth Football League.

WSFC's Youth Leadership & Volunteering Programme empowers young people to take on leadership roles within their communities. By providing training in leadership skills, event planning, and coaching, this initiative nurtures young leaders who actively contribute to community projects and support their peers. Many young participants have gone on to gain employment, secure apprenticeships, or continue their involvement as volunteers in future WSFC initiatives.

To support young people during the school holidays, WSFC organises multi-sport camps and workshops aimed at developing sports skills, building confidence, and keeping young people engaged in positive activities. These camps cater to children from all backgrounds, with an emphasis on inclusion and fun. In addition to sports coaching, the camps also offer workshops on leadership, teamwork, and healthy living, providing young people with valuable skills and experiences during their break from school.