West Ham United and Lyca Mobile have teamed up to host a number of community-based workshops, coaching and football sessions aimed to boost participation throughout the community in east London.
Through the ‘Lyca Mobile in the Community’ initiative the leading international mobile network operator will join forces with the Premier League club to deliver a range of sessions targeted at three key pillars, Community football, Talent ID, and Coaches, each with the aim of unearthing talent and inspiring people of all backgrounds to get involved with football.
The coaching sessions will ensure parents, carers and under-represented groups gain valuable insights and support to obtain qualifications in the world of football, ensuring equal opportunities for all to help inspire the next generation of talent. These sessions will be supported by coaches from West Ham United, West Ham United Foundation and the local FA.
For the previous 11 years Lyca Mobile in partnership with the Hammers have hosted the ‘Lyca Mobile Cup’ this will once again return for children across the diverse communities of east London. This year Lyca Mobile’s football sessions will be organised to highlight underrepresented and potentially overlooked talented players of all backgrounds, to ensure skilled players across east London can be unearthed and further grow within the sport. West Ham United famed for being the ‘Academy of Football’ have a proud track record of developing young homegrown talent to achieve success in the Premier League and beyond.
In total this year’s combined efforts between two of the most respected institutions of east London will reach over 750 people across the community, with both committing to target a 50:50 gender split in participants within the sessions. This inspiring work will take place in the heart of West Ham United and Lyca Mobile’s community in areas including Tower Hamlets, Newham, and Redbridge, all with the aim to facilitate better pathways into football and youth work for local residents, especially young people.
Lyca Mobile, who are of the West Ham United’s longest standing Club partners, will work closely across all arms of the club including the Academy and Foundation, the Foundation serves as the Hammers charitable arm to support thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds in communities in east London and beyond. The collaboration will also align with Lyca Mobile’s community initiatives and the Hammers Premier League inclusion efforts, championing the pair’s strong presence in the community.
Speaking on the project, Lyca Mobile’s Deputy Chairman, Prem Sivasamy said:
“As a global brand with deep roots in local communities, Lyca Mobile is honoured to continue our long-standing partnership with West Ham United through the ‘Lyca Mobile in the Community’ initiative. We are committed to supporting grassroots football and fostering inclusive environments where individuals from all backgrounds can thrive. By working alongside the Club and its Foundation, we aim to create meaningful pathways into sport, education, and personal development for communities across east London.”
