It is not just in Manchester that the Club empowers healthier lives through football. In 2023-24, more than 15,000 youngsters in 25 cities across the globe took part in City-led programmes.
Young Leader training remained a core focus as the Club continued to develop and invest in the next generation of community football coaches. Last season, City in the Community (CITC) doubled the delivery of in-person training, upskilling 552 Young Leaders. Health education and Young Leader training was also delivered in City Football Group (CFG) clubs in New York, Melbourne, Mumbai, Lommel and Bahia.
94% of participants surveyed felt they used the power of football to educate and create social change in their community, whilst 97% of female Young Leaders agreed that they garnered new ideas and knowledge to take back to their projects.
27 Young Leaders from the project network in Bangalore, New Delhi, and Kolkata came together for the Young Leaders Summit in Bangalore, which was delivered with Official Club Partner Etihad Airways.
The coaches at the summit delivered football and leadership training through a series of skills-based workshops. The programme culminated in the Young Leaders putting their new learning into practice to deliver a community football festival for local children.
Elsewhere, in São Paulo and Bandung, City and Midea – the Club’s Official Home Appliances Partner – launched an initiative which aimed to educate local young people about football, leadership and sustainability, to empower them to feel at home on and off the pitch.
The project focused on giving vulnerable young people a safe space to play and learn whilst addressing social inequalities. Midea donated 60 home appliances across the projects, including air conditioners and washing machines, to create comfortable and safe environments in which to conduct the football sessions.
The third unique scheme delivered this season was backed by the Club’s Official Water Technology Partner, Xylem, through their Water Heroes Academy, which continued to support football and water education projects across ten cities worldwide.
Fans were asked to vote for the most inspiring project amongst candidates from Bangalore, Barranquilla, Nairobi, Washington D.C. and Tacloban City. Young Leaders in Nairobi won the vote with a focus on tackling period inequality, and improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene. They received a special Manchester City visit from former star defender, Joleon Lescott.
The Club also highlighted its global projects during the Treble Trophy Tour, with several former players and the trophies visiting for activations.
In Bandung, Indonesia, Shaun Wright-Phillips joined local residents for a volunteer day to refurbish the Rumah Cemara Project Centre.
Brazilian international midfielder Elano supported the launch of a new community project in São Paulo, in partnership with Midea, whose local employees volunteered their time for the project.
In Mumbai, Nedum Onuoha surprised long-time Young Leader Zoya with a special trophy visit to her home and visited an OSCAR Foundation community football session, leading a Q&A with participants and Young Leaders.
Supporting young leaders around the world to uplift the health of city youth through the power of football
Source: Manchester City
25 youth-led projects in cities around the world
Source: Manchester City
