Press Coverage Pre Event 15 March 2017 http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/real-madrid-set-to-open-football-school-in-croydon/story-30203553- detail/story.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4315610/Real-Madrid-open-soccer-school-England.html https://www.tes.com/jobs/employer/the-cedars-school-1072661 https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/3094189/real-madrid-open-uk-search-for-the-next-cristiano-ronaldo-in- croydon/ http://www.croydonguardian.co.uk/news/15157641.Real_Madrid_to_open_soccer_school_in_Croydon/ http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/15157641.Real_Madrid_to_open_soccer_school_in_Croydon/ http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/15157641.Will_the_next_Cristiano_Ronaldo_be_found__Real_Madrid_to _open_soccer_school_in_Croydon/ http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/real-madrid-open-first-uk-10033183 https://twitter.com/GoodSchoolsUK/status/842073995222556672 https://www.netmums.com/croydon/whats-on/view/real-madrid-social-soccer-school http://www.cpfc.org/forums/showthread.php?t=269677 Press Coverage Post Event 23 March 2017 onwards http://news.croydon.gov.uk/beststart/ http://www.itv.com/news/london/2017-03-22/real-madrid-opens-first-british-football-school-in-croydon/ http://www.swlondoner.co.uk/european-giants-real-madrid-croydon-next-cristiano-ronaldo/ http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2017/03/the-real-madrid-foundation-presents-the-first-socio-sporting- school-to-open-in-the-uk http://www.espnfc.co.uk/club/real-madrid/86/blog/post/3088110/real-madrid-arrive-in-uk-as-youngsters- taught-to-live-and-play-the-real-madrid-way https://insidecroydon.com/2017/03/23/real-madrid-hero-butragueno-kicks-off-social-sports-school/ http://m.eurasiadiary.com/en/news/sport/118820-real-madrid-to-open-their-first-soccer-school-in-england-for- economically-and-socially-disadvantaged-youths http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/15177449.Real_Madrid_open_soccer_school_in_Croydon/ http://www.newslocker.com/en-uk/region/croydon/real-madrid-open-soccer-school-in-croydon/ http://www.croydonguardian.co.uk/news/15177449.Real_Madrid_open_soccer_school_in_Croydon/ http://news.radiojackie.com/2017/03/real-madrid-opened-its-first-british.html http://www.hnvnews.co.uk/similar-news/1/Real%20Madrid%20open%20soccer%20school%20in%20Croydon https://www.facebook.com/ilovecroydon/ http://www.corazonblanco.com/la_fundacion_real_madrid_presento_la_primera_escuela_sociodeportiva_en_re ino_unido-noticias_del_real_madrid-ispyp-1620653.htm http://www.90min.com/vn/posts/4722109-real-madrid-mo-hoc-vien-bong-da-tu-thien-tai-anh http://www.elbernabeu.com/articulo/madridismo/madrid-abre-primera-escuela- inglaterra/20170315203312008742.html https://www.thesun.ie/where/croydon/ https://www.mbnews.one/sports_news_88526.htm http://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/real-madrid/20170315/42905838461/real-madrid-escuela- inglaterra.html http://www.capitalbay.news/sports/1126276-real-madrid-to-open-their-first-soccer-school-in-england.html http://loladeville.com/2017/03/15/real-madrid-to-open-their-first-soccer-school-in-england/ http://london.mediavor.com/real-madrid-to-open-first-uk-football-school-in-south-london-to-find-the-next- gareth-bale/ http://news.croydon.gov.uk/real-madrid-football-project-kicked-off-club-star/ http://www.eastlondonlines.co.uk/2017/03/real-madrid-opens-new-football-school-in-croydon/ http://rcsouthwark.co.uk/pilgrim_archive.html
Real Madrid are opening their first UK soccer school - in Croydon By Tom_Matthews | Posted: March 15, 2017 0 COMMENTS 23 SHARES Getty image: http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc- images/276430/Article/images/30203553/15906681- large.jpg
Emilio Butragueño with Zinedine Zidane at a Read Madrid friendly in 2010
Local youngsters aged between eight and 11 will be able to use the school, and it will be particularly targeted at south London youths who are economically or socially disadvantaged.
The project is a partnership between the Foundation, The Cedars and Football for Unity, a non-profit pro-football organisation, with the support of the Kinetic Foundation, a Croydon sports charity that was set up in the wake of the riots in 2011.
Butragueño is due to open the school link along with the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and representatives from Croydon Council on Wednesday, March 22.
image: http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc- images/276430/binaries/1908588.JPG
Real Madrid celebrating their 11th Champions League win
Comments (0) Real Madrid are opening a soccer school - their first in the UK - in the borough as part of a partnership with a Croydon school.
Club legend Emilio Butragueño, who played for the Spanish giants in the 1980s and 90s, is set to open the "social sport school" at The Cedars School next to Lloyd Park, in South Croydon, next week.
The Real Madrid Foundation - the club's charitable arm - already runs such schools elsewhere in the world, but the link with The Cedars School will be the first Real Madrid Foundation Soccer School in the UK.
"The aim of the project is to support children and young people by offering them activities to develop their skills, both in sports and relational and social integration," a statement from the foundation, The Cedars School in South Croydon announcing the launch, said. image: http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc- The former striker, who is now Real Madrid's director of images/276430/binaries/real%20madrid%202.png institutional relations, scored 123 goals in 341 games for Madrid and appeared in two World Cups for Spain.
The Spanish club, for whom the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale play, are the most successful team in Champions League history but also work with more than 50,000 people in 75 countries worldwide.
Read more at http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/real-madrid-set- to-open-football-school-in-croydon/story-30203553- detail/story.html#SC0GwBY2lDBgLqrx.99
Matthew Sherwood CEO PACT Educational Trust is interviewed by Andre Morgan at LBC London News regarding
the the Real Madrid Social Sports School South London.
Broadcast Date: Wed 22 March 2017.
Real Madrid to open their first soccer school in England for economically and socially disadvantaged children Real Madrid will open their first soccer school in England later this month Club legend Emilio Butragueno will open the 'social sport school' in Croydon The school will be targeted at local youngsters between the ages of eight and 11 By James Dutton For Mailonline PUBLISHED: 09:51, 15 March 2017 | UPDATED: 12:07, 15 March 2017
Real Madrid could be unearthing the next Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale from the shores of the UK. The European champions are to open their first soccer school in England as part of a partnership with a school in Croydon, south London.
Club legend Emilio Butragueno, who starred during the 1980s and 90s, is set to open the 'social sport school' at The Cedars School later this month.
Real Madrid will hope to unearth the next Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale in this school. It also has the support of the Kinetic Foundation, a Croydon sports charity established in the wake of the 2011 London riots. The school will be opened by Butragueno along with the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and representatives from
Croydon Council on March 22.
European champions Real Madrid are to open their first soccer school in England The Real Madrid Foundation runs such schools across the world, with this their first in the British Isles A statement said: 'The aim of the project is to support children and young people by offering them activities to develop their skills, both in sports and relational and social integration.
The school will be targeted at economically and socially disadvantaged youths between the ages of eight and 11 The project is a partnership between the Foundation, The Cedars and Football for Unity, a non-profit pro-football
organisation.
Club legend Emilio Butragueno will help open the 'social sport school' later this month
MADE IN CROYDON
Real Madrid open UK search for the next Cristiano Ronaldo in Croydon London borough has decent track record with Roy Hodgson, Ian Wright and Wilfried Zaha emerging from its ranks Croydon in South London will host a Real Madrid by Geoff Sweet academy
15th March 2017, 11:07 am Updated: 15th March 2017, 11:57 Former England boss Roy Hodgson, and Crystal am Palace stars Wilfried Zaha and Jason Puncheon amongst them, who were born or grew up there. REAL MADRID are opening their first football school in the UK to find the next Cristiano But nothing like the likes of Ronaldo or Gareth Bale. Ronaldo… in Croydon. Los Blancos, who have also seen both Ronaldos, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and David Croydon has spawned a number of international Beckham grace the Bernabeu in recent times, are set managers and Premier League players. to open the academy in south London next week.
Former England boss Roy Hodgson is a Croydon boy
Ian Wright was a key product of south-west London
Cristiano Ronaldo… can Real find another one like him? Bolton midfielder who began his career with Wimbledon Carlton Cole – former Celtic, West Ham and Chelsea centre forward Steve Kember – ex-Crystal Palace and Leicester City star who also managed Palace
Butragueño is due to open the school link along with the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and representatives from Croydon Council on March 22. Former striker, Butragueño, now Real Madrid’s director of institutional relations, scored 123 goals in Wilfried Zaha was brought up in Croydon 341 games for Madrid and appeared in two World Club legend Emilio Butragueño, who played for the Cups for Spain. Spanish giants in the 1980s and 90s, is set to open the “social sport school” at The Cedars School. Croydon is hardly known for its football history with its main club Croydon FC, known as ‘The Trams’, sitting in the non-league Southern Counties East League Premier Division.
The Real Madrid Foundation – the club’s charitable arm – already runs schools around the world.
In way or other Real Madrid work with more than 50,000 people in 75 countries worldwide Youngsters aged between eight and 11 will be able to use the latest school, targeted particularly at south London youths who are economically or socially G disadvantaged.
A statement from the Foundation in announcing the launch said: “The aim of the project is to support children and young people by offering them activities to develop their skills, both in sports and relational and social integration.”
FOOTBALL STARS WHO Jason Puncheon spent his childhood in Croydon N# HAILED FROM CROYDON Nigel Reo-Coker is another Croydon boyEWS GROUP As is ex-Chelsea and West Ham man Carlton Cole Roy Hodgson – managed (amongst others) England, Switzerland, UAE, West Bromwich, Liverpool, The project is a partnership between the Foundation, Fulham, Blackburn and Inter Milan Wilfried The Cedars and Football for Unity, a non-profit pro- Ian Wright – SunSport columnist who starred for football organisation, with the support of the Kinetic Crystal Palace and Arsenal Foundation, a Croydon sports charity that was set up in the wake of the riots in 2011. Zaha – Crystal Palace winger who has also played for England and Manchester United Jason Puncheon – current Palace midfielder formerly at Southampton Nigel Reo-Coker – ex-West Ham, Aston Villa and
Real Madrid to open soccer school near Lloyd Park in Croydon
The school will be opened by Real Madrid legend Emilio Butragueno on Wednesday, March 8 2 hrs ago / Anders Anglesey, Reporter - Sutton / scandijourno
European football giants Real Madrid will activities to develop their skills in sports and open a football school in Croydon. social integration. Club legend Emilio Butragueno, who made The centre will be run between the 341 appearances for the Madrid side in the independent school, the foundation, Football 1980s and 1990s, will open the facility at the for Unity (FFU) and Kinetic Foundation Cedars School, near Lloyd Park, on (KF). Wednesday, March 8. FFU sets out to support young footballers by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, and highlighting the importance of health and representatives from Croydon Council will wellbeing and KF was founded to engage also join the former striker at the ceremony. disadvantaged young people from south London following the 2011 riots. The “social sports school” will be the first in the UK to be run by the Real Madrid Real Madrid are one of the most successful Foundation, which operates similar teams in Europe and are the current FIFA institutions in 75 countries around the world. Club World Cup champions. The side also count Cristiano Ronaldo, whose trademark is It aims to support children in south London CR7, among its star-studded squad. aged between six and 11 by offering
Real Madrid to open first UK football school in south London to find the next Gareth Bale Club legend Emilio Butragueno is to open the "social sport school" at The Cedars School next week 2285 SHARES BY ALEX SMITH 16:01, 15 MAR 2017 UPDATED16:02, 15 MAR 2017
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 18: Gareth Bale of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and RCD Espanyol at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 18, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Helios de la Rubia/Real Madrid via Getty Images) (Photo: Helios de la Rubia)
The new Ronaldo or Bale could be spotted in Croydon (Photo: Getty Images Europe)
Real Madrid are set to open the first UK football school in Croydon as they search for the next Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo . Club legend Emilio Butragueno, who starred for the La Liga giants in the 1980s and 90s, is set to open the "social sport school" at The Cedars School next week.
The south London town is a hot spot of footballing talent. Former England manager Roy Hodgson, Arsenal legend Real are hoping to uncover the next Ronaldo (Photo: Ian Wright and Crystal Palace duo Jason Puncheon and Antonio Villalba) Wilfred Zaha are all from the area.
Real Madrid enjoy basketball training session ahead of La Liga clash with Athletic Bilbao The school has been strategically placed to target disadvantaged youngsters between the ages of eight and 11 and pluck the best talent in the area. Butragueno played almost 350 times for Real, along with 69 international for Spain in two World Cup, and won La Liga six times. He will open the training centre next Wednesday along with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
Crystal Palace players wait for a free kick to be taken (Photo: Jed Leicester/BPI)
Former Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder Michael Essien signs for Indonesian side Persib Bandung
Ian Wright is from Croydon (Photo: Stuart MacFarlane)
The area also boasts a former England manager (Photo: Lars Baron)
A statement from the Foundation said: “The aim of the project is to support children and young people by offering them activities to develop their skills, both in sports and relational and social integration.”
Real already work with 50,000 people in 75 countries worldwide as they attempt to continue their successful tradition.
The aim of the project is to support children and 1. ITV REPORT young people by offering them activities to develop their skills, both in sports and relational and social 22 March 2017 at 10:30am integration.
Real Madrid opens – REAL MADRID FOUNDATION first British football school in Croydon
Real Madrid is opening its first British football school in south London to find the next Cristiano Ronaldo.
Emilio Butragueno who played for Spain in the 1986 and 1990 World Cup Finals scoring 5 goals in 9 games Credit: PA
Butragueño is due to open the school this afternoon. The former striker is now Real Madrid's director of Emilio Butragueño, who played for the Spanish club institutional relations and scored 123 goals in 341 in the 1980s and 90s will open the new centre at The games for Madrid and appeared in two World Cups Cedars School. for Spain. The Real Madrid Foundation, the club's charitable arm, already runs similar schools elsewhere in the world but the The project is a partnership between the Foundation, link with The Cedars School will be the first Real Madrid The Cedars and Football for Unity, a non-profit pro- Foundation Soccer School in the UK. football organisation, with the support of the Kinetic Foundation, a Croydon sports charity that was set up in the wake of the riots in 2011.
For more information click here.
Last updated Wed 22 Mar 2017
Emilio Butragueño
NEWS | 22/03/2017 Emilio Butragueño attended the opening ceremony, which was held at The Cedars School.
Real Madrid's director of institutional relations, Emilio Butragueño, travelled to London to open the Real Madrid
Foundation's first socio-sporting school in the United Kingdom. The event was staged at The Cedars Schools in Croydon, with the secondary school acting as the local partners in this project.
"I'm happy to be here because we at the Real Madrid Foundation believe sport to be the ideal tool for social integration and personal development", stated Butragueño. The socio-sporting school will be aimed at children aged between eight and 11 living in the south of London who find themselves in situations of social or economic disadvantage, with plans in place to extend the age groups to include youngster aged up to 17. The coaches, who have undergone the Foundation's Por una Educación REAL: Valores y Deporte (For a REAL education: Values and Sport) training programme, predominantly hail from the same area.
Robert Teague, headmaster of The Cedars School explained: "I'm delighted to be part of this link-up between the Real Madrid Foundation and The Cedars School, which will be verysignificant for the local community and will be very benefitial to many young people. The most exciting part of the project is that it's not just about improving the childrens' technical abilities, but it's also about helping to prepare them for life. Everything related to development allows the youngsters to satisfy their dreams or helps them along the way".
This project has been made possible thanks to the collaboration of the Kinetic Foundation, a Croydon-based charity organisation involved in football training, and the PACT Educational Trust, to which The Cedars School belongs.
LONDON -- Following a glittering career in which he bagged six La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys, two UEFA Cups and made it to 10th on the all-time list of Real Madrid top scorers (123 goals in 341 games), Emilio Butragueno is accustomed to stepping out onto more hallowed turf than a soggy south London football pitch surrounded by rowdy youngsters.
But for the former Real Madrid and Spain legend, who terrorised defenders and earned the nickname El Buitre (The Vulture) before retiring in 1998, this is what he loves most about the beautiful game.
"Only football can generate such passion and motivation, it Butragueno (top right) has hopes that Real Madrid can grow doesn't matter where you play" Butragueno, now Real throughout the world. Madrid's director of institutional relations, told ESPN FC. "This is a sport that makes millions of people all over the While Andrew added: "I'm very excited about learning how world happy. But it also has the unique ability to transform to play football the Real Madrid way. I'd also love to meet lives and help in the all-round development of young Gareth Bale or Cristiano Ronaldo but I don't think that's people." going to happen."
Under a typically dank, overcast sky in Croydon, south In total, Los Blancos have established football schools in London, Butragueno exhibited some of the silky ball skills 75 countries attracting more than 50,000 youngsters under he was famous for to mark the launch of Real Madrid's first the banner of their foundation, the club's charitable arm, but football school in the United Kingdom. Croydon is its first foray into the United Kingdom.
Aimed specifically at youngsters from deprived The expansion of Real Madrid football schools forms part backgrounds, it involves weekly training sessions that are of a wider strategy to increase the club's international combined with wider educational and social activities. The profile as it competes with the likes of Barcelona and project's location was chosen because the area was badly leading Premier League clubs for fans around the world. affected by the 2011 riots and is also home to some of the capital's most disadvantaged communities. Real Madrid estimate that they have a global fan base of 450 million, while according to Deloitte they have a It is run in partnership with a local school "The Cedars," the combined following of 128.9m on social media, compared Sports for Unity charity and the Kinetic Foundation, a social with Barcelona's 132.8m. sports initiative which was set up in the wake of the riots. For the enthusiastic youngsters queuing up to grab an More than 80 boys and girls have already been signed up autograph or a selfie with Butragueno, there was little and will be "taught to live and play the Real Madrid way." interest in the significance of Real Madrid's decision to set up shop in a remote corner of south London. "As a professional footballer I learned more than just about football," Butragueno added. "It's about discipline, Many confessed to having to do a bit of extra homework on teamwork and character development; good values that who he actually was, given that his exploits on the pitch have helped me in my wider life. This is what the Real took place long before they were born. "Thanks to the Madrid school can do for these youngsters." internet you know who I am," joked Real Madrid's former front man. Tony Jennings, whose nine-year old son Andrew has signed up to attend the school said: "There's not a lot to do But while the focus of Real Madrid's schools is on social for young people in this area so this is a fantastic development, uncovering a new Cristiano Ronaldo in opportunity for them to get involved in something positive. Croydon would be a welcome bonus. Who would have thought that the champions of Europe and one of the world's best clubs would be interested in coming Vivek Chaudhary covers FIFA and the financial side of the to Croydon?" game for ESPN FC. Twitter: @viveksport
Real Madrid open soccer school near Lloyd Park in Croydon
The soccer school was opened by Real Madrid legend Emilio Butragueno on Wednesday, March 22 Anders Anglesey, Reporter - Sutton / scandijourno 23 March 2017
Croydon’s next great footballer could be The school will be the first of its kind in snapped up by Real Madrid rather the UK to be run by the real Madrid than Crystal Palace after the Spanish Foundation, which operates similar institutions across the globe. side opened a soccer school near Lloyd Park earlier this week. It aims to support children in south London aged between six and 11 by Blancos legend Emilio Butragueno, who offering activities to develop their skills played for the club in the 1980s and in sport and social integration. 1990s, opened the facility at the Cedars School, near Lloyd Park on Wednesday, Real Madrid are one of the most March 22. successful clubs in Europe having won the Champions League a record 11 times.
Real Madrid open soccer school near Lloyd Park in Croydon
The soccer school was opened by Real Madrid legend Emilio Butragueno on wednesday, March 22 Anders Anglesey, Reporter - Sutton / scandijourno 23 March 2017
Croydon’s next great footballer could be snapped up by Real Madrid rather than Crystal Palace after the Spanish side opened a soccer school near Lloyd Park earlier this week. Blancos legend Emilio Butragueno, who played for the club in the 1980s and 1990s, opened the facility at the Cedars School, near Lloyd Park on Wednesday, March 22. The school will be the first of its kind in the UK to be run by the real Madrid Foundation, which operates similar institutions across the globe. It aims to support children in south London aged between six and 11 by offering activities to develop their skills in sport and social integration. Real Madrid are one of the most successful clubs in Europe having won the Champions League a record 11 times.
Wednesday, 22 March 2017
Real Madrid opened its first British training school in Croydon
Real Madrid opened its first British training school in Croydon this afternoon. It has been launched at The Cedars School in Coombe Road. Activities will be offered to children to improve their football and social skills.
Former England boss Roy Hodgson, and Crystal Palace stars Wilfried Zaha and Jason Puncheon
MADE IN CROYDON amongst them, who were born or grew up there.
But nothing like the likes of Ronaldo or Gareth Bale. Real Madrid open UK search Los Blancos, who have also seen both Ronaldos, for the next Cristiano Ronaldo Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and David Beckham in Croydon grace the Bernabeu in recent times, are set to open the academy in south London next week. London borough has decent track record with Roy Hodgson, Ian Wright and Wilfried Zaha emerging from its ranks by Geoff Sweet
15th March 2017, 11:07 am Updated: 26th March 2017, 6:48 pm
REAL MADRID are opening their first football school in the UK to find the next Cristiano Ronaldo… in Croydon. Former England boss Roy Hodgson is a Croydon boy Croydon has spawned a number of international Wright was a key product of south-west London managers and Premier League players.
Wilfried Zaha was brought up in Croydon
Club legend Emilio Butragueño, who played for the Spanish giants in the 1980s and 90s, is set to open the “social sport school” at The Cedars School. Cristiano Ronaldo…can Real find another one like Croydon is hardly known for its football history with him?Croydon in South London will host a Real its main club Croydon FC, known as ‘The Trams’, Madrid academy sitting in the non-league Southern Counties East League Premier Division. The Real Madrid Foundation – the club’s charitable Former striker, Butragueño, now Real Madrid’s arm – already runs schools around the world. director of institutional relations, scored 123 goals in 341 games for Madrid and appeared in two World In way or other Real Madrid work with more than Cups for Spain. 50,000 people in 75 countries worldwide Youngsters aged between eight and 11 will be able to use the latest school, targeted particularly at south London youths who are economically or socially disadvantaged.
A statement from the Foundation in announcing the launch said: “The aim of the project is to support children and young people by offering them activities to develop their skills, both in sports and relational and social integration.” FOOTBALL STARS WHO HAILED FROM CROYDON Roy Hodgson – managed (amongst others) England, Jason Puncheon spent his childhood in Croydon Switzerland, UAE, West Bromwich, Liverpool, Fulham, Blackburn and Inter Milan Wilfried
Ian Wright – SunSport columnist who starred for Crystal Palace and Arsenal
Zaha – Crystal Palace winger who has also played for Nigel Reo-Coker is another Croydon boy England and Manchester United
Jason Puncheon – current Palace midfielder formerly at Southampton
Nigel Reo-Coker – ex-West Ham, Aston Villa and Bolton midfielder who began his career with Wimbledon
Carlton Cole – former Celtic, West Ham and Chelsea centre forward As is ex-Chelsea and West Ham man Carlton Cole
The project is a partnership between the Foundation, Steve Kember – ex-Crystal Palace and Leicester City The Cedars and Football for Unity, a non-profit pro- star who also managed Palace football organisation, with the support of the Kinetic Butragueño is due to open the school link along with Foundation, a Croydon sports charity that was set up the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and representatives in the wake of the riots in 2011. from Croydon Council on March 22.
Real Madrid opens new football school in Croydon by Alastair Norton/ March 27, 2017/ CROYDON, SPORTS/ No Comments
Croydon schoolchildren will have a chance to emulate Speaking to the SWLondoner, Judy Wallis (club their Madrid heroes Pic: Wikimedia Commons welfare officer at Kinetic) said: “It’s lovely to see such a huge club being so proactive in their foundation to put Featuring some of the best players in the world, something like this in an area such as Croydon. including Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Luka Modric, Real Madrid are consistently at the top of their “Kids can turn up and play at the playing field at the game in the Spanish La Liga and the European back of the school and it’s a great opportunity for kids Champions League. to be proactive, learn football and learn the discipline of playing a sport.” Now the footballing superstars have turned to Croydon in the hope of finding and developing world class The educational trust, Parents, Children and Teachers in football stars of the future. Partnership runs The Cedars School and was involved in setting up the link with Real Madrid. In conjunction with The Cedars School, an independent boys’ school in Lloyd Park, the Real Madrid Speaking to the SWLondoner, their CEO Matthew Foundation have established their first football school in Sherwood said: “Croydon is the ideal location because the UK. of the local need and the presence of suitable partners to operate the project at ground level.” In a statement, The Real Madrid Foundation said: “The aim of the project is to support children and young Children at risk of exclusion will be specifically people by offering them activities to develop their targeted with the project aiming to provide them with skills, both in sports and relational and social education in values through sport. integration.” Sherwood added: “An End Child Poverty report The Croydon project was opened on March 22 by Real identified three local wards as among the most deprived Madrid club legend Emilio Butragueño, who played for in London – Fieldway, Broad Green and New Madrid in the 1980s and 1990s. He scored 123 goals in Addington. 341 games for Madrid and appeared in two World Cups “We are reaching out to schools in these areas to help us for Spain. Butragueño is now the director of identify who will benefit the most from participation in institutional relations at Real Madrid. such a project.” He has overseen similar projects that have been set up This continues a developing football lineage in in 75 countries around the world involving more than Croydon, which has birthed former England national 50,000 potential footballing stars of the future. team manager Roy Hodgson and Crystal Palace winger The project has been set up in conjunction with Football Wilfred Zaha, among others. For Unity, who “aspire to establish sustainable legacy The free football sessions are on Saturday mornings projects related to football that promote unity amongst between 9-11am at The Cedars School and are led by young people around the world”, and the Kinetic coaches trained by Real Madrid. Foundation (set up in the wake of the 2011 London Riots), who are to run the football school in tandem with Real Madrid.