OUR IMPACT

IMPACT Statements

DFY

IMPACT STATEMENT DECEMBER 2024

In 2024, DFY Sports delivered inclusive and community-led sports provision to hundreds of children across Brent and Hammersmith & Fulham. From after-school clubs to holiday camps, our programmes create consistent spaces where children feel safe, valued and free to grow—no matter their background.

  • DFY Sports runs after-school clubs in six schools across Brent and Hammersmith & Fulham, offering a huge variety of sports. These clubs are impactful in a number of ways:

    • Free Spaces: One in five places are provided for free at five schools. The sixth school offers a discounted model for children eligible for free school meals. These free and subsidised places ensure that financial barriers do not prevent participation, especially important when clubs include niche sports like skateboarding, martial arts and archery, which would otherwise be costly and inaccessible.

    • Behavioural Challenges: We work closely with schools to support children who may be facing emotional or behavioural challenges. Our clubs offer structure, consistency and a trusted adult relationship. They become safe spaces for children to join in and build social confidence.

    • Language Barriers: Many children have English as an additional language (EAL). For families who are new to the UK, living in temporary accommodation, or unfamiliar with the school system, we work directly with schools and social workers to ensure the most vulnerable children are able to access our provision.

    • Niche Sports: Our aim is to make sport more accessible by offering as many disciplines as possible directly at school. Children can take part in skateboarding, archery, martial arts, kickboxing, football, basketball, dance, and more, without needing to travel across London. This is a huge help for working parents or families with young siblings and limited transport access.

    • SEND Support: We collaborate with schools to support children with special educational needs. This might include adapting sessions, creating tailored strategies for specific behaviours, or designing inclusive activities, such as our wheelchair-accessible programme.

  • We run holiday camps in two locations during every major school break. With funding from the HAF programme, the London Community Fund, and our own not-for-profit model, we offer free places to more than 50% of children at each camp, rising to 75% or more during certain holidays, with up to 80 children attending for free each day. Children receive between 4–16 free days depending on the length of the break, with the flexibility to extend where space allows.

    Our camps provide vital support across several areas:

    • Food Security: Each child receives healthy snacks and a hot meal. This becomes especially important during school holidays, when food budgets are stretched across multiple children.

    • Family Support: Many of our families are single parents or juggling multiple children, some of whom are too young for camp. Knowing that older children are safe and cared for gives parents peace of mind and enables them to work, directly supporting family income and job security.

    • Structure & Safety: Camps provide a fun but structured environment, where children can try out a wide range of sports every day. It keeps them active, supervised, and away from potentially unsafe settings or peer pressure.

    • New Friendships: Children make new friends across the neighbourhood and often return each break excited to reconnect. For Year 6 pupils, this also helps with easing the transition into secondary school.

    Trusted Adults: Children develop strong bonds with our coaches, who become familiar and trusted figures in their lives. Coaches support not only sporting skills and healthy habits, but help children navigate friendships and behaviour. Most children leave camp talking about their favourite coach and looking forward to seeing them again.

  • DFY Academy, our dedicated football and basketball programme, is part of the wider DFY offer. In 2024, it supported children with SEND, language barriers, and low confidence, offering consistent coaching, inclusive spaces, and leadership opportunities.

    👉 Read the full DFY Academy 2024 Impact Statement below

  • From the school gate to the camp sign-in desk, DFY continues to stand for accessible, inclusive programmes that go beyond sport.

    Our mission is to level the playing field for the next generation. We work with children who often face barriers, whether financial, social, behavioural or systemic, and create spaces where they can feel seen, supported, and capable. Through movement, routine, and trusted relationships, our sessions become a platform for building confidence, developing communication, and learning teamwork and respect.

    These are the foundations we believe every child deserves.

    Thank you to every school, parent, funder, and coach who made this year possible.

DFY ACADEMY

IMPACT STATEMENT DECEMBER 2024

  • DFY Academy is more than just a football club—it’s a transformative community where every child is given the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their ability, background, or circumstances. Rooted in the legacy of Roundwood Rangers FC since 2009, the Academy has become a beacon of inclusivity and development in Brent, welcoming children who may not have found a place elsewhere.

  • 1. Inclusivity and Opportunity

    DFY Academy actively seeks out children who might otherwise be overlooked—whether due to size, confidence, ability, language barriers, or socioeconomic challenges. Many children come from schools lacking proper sports programs, such as Furness and Donnington. At DFY, they find a space to learn, play, and grow.

    • SEN Children Thrive: Children with special educational needs (SEN) have flourished at DFY, discovering their potential in a supportive team environment.

    • Language Barriers Broken: Families with limited English proficiency have found a welcoming community at the Academy, ensuring no child feels excluded. A number of our coaches speak a second language which has been instrumental in making children who might be new to the country, and speaking English, feel comfortable.

    • Creating Opportunities for Girls: Many of our female players, new to the sport, have found a home at DFY Academy. Parents share how their daughters’ confidence has blossomed, with one parent remarking, “She’s loving it and wants to keep playing.” Our initiative to provide free sessions for girls has been instrumental in encouraging participation, ensuring that football is accessible and inclusive for everyone.

    2. Personalized Coaching and Development

    The Academy’s philosophy is rooted in nurturing potential. Coaches focus on identifying areas where children may need support and work to build their confidence and skills.

    • Child 1’s Journey: A shy boy brought by his grandparents, initially struggled to find his footing. Through DFY’s tailored training, he has blossomed into a confident player, now thriving in friendly matches.

    • Focused Coaching: When a young goalkeeper faced challenges, DFY’s coaches introduced additional training and repositioned him within a more suitable age group, helping rebuild his confidence and skill without diminishing his sense of belonging.

    • Mentoring Coaches: DFY Academy doesn’t just build players—it develops young coaches like Adam. Initially perceived as unreliable, Adam was given the chance to prove himself and is now an exceptional coach, beloved by the children he mentors. This ripple effect of opportunity extends DFY’s impact far beyond the pitch.

    3. Creating a Positive Environment

    DFY Academy’s inclusive and wholesome atmosphere has become a cornerstone of its success.

    • Parent Testimonies: Parents often express gratitude for the Academy’s focus on fun, teamwork, and positivity. The supportive environment encourages children to enjoy themselves while developing critical life skills.

    • Empowered Coaches: Coaches are trained in safeguarding, respectful communication, and personalized coaching techniques, creating an environment where every child feels valued.

    4. Encouraging Resilience and Unity

    Players at DFY Academy learn resilience through challenging matches and demanding weather conditions.

    • Underdog Success: The Academy’s under-8s team defied expectations, defeating an Arsenal community team in their first matches, boosting their confidence and teamwork.

    • Team Spirit: Even in adversity, players support one another, showing the unity and perseverance that DFY instills in its participants.

    • Resilience, Teamwork, and Confidence: DFY Academy fosters resilience, encouraging children to give their best, rain or shine.

    5. A Pathway to Excellence

    While inclusivity is at the heart of DFY Academy, many players show exceptional progress, balancing opportunity for all with pathways for outstanding talent.

    • From Parks to Leagues: Players like Child 3, discovered in a park, have transitioned to formal training and league matches, showcasing raw talent honed through DFY’s programs.

    • Role Models: The Academy engages inspiring figures such as professional footballer Connie Scofield, Arsenal coaches, and referee Jawahir Roble MBE, providing children with mentorship and exposure to professional-level insights.

  • DFY Academy does not discriminate based on physical ability, financial status, or language proficiency. It is a safe, inclusive space where children from all walks of life come together to learn, grow, and succeed.

    • Family Commitment: Child 1’s grandparents, Child 2’s parents, and Child 3’s mother and grandmother are examples of families investing their time and resources to ensure their children can participate. This collective effort creates a deep sense of belonging within the Academy. The families report positive impacts on the children’s behaviour at home including an increased willingness to switch off from screens and get outside and play.

    • Opportunities for Girls: By creating dedicated spaces and free programs for girls, DFY is breaking down barriers to participation and building confidence among young female players.

  • Through football, DFY Academy builds more than athletes—it builds character, leadership, and a sense of belonging. With inspiring stories, we’re reminded of the life-changing impact of our work. Together, we’re shaping a brighter future, one child, one family, and one community at a time.

  • Looking ahead, DFY Academy plans to expand its reach.

    • Increased Access: Starting in August 2025, the Academy will provide more free access for girls and boys from low-income families.

    • Breaking Boundaries: With dedicated programs for girls, DFY continues to challenge traditional norms, fostering inclusivity in football.

    • Long-Term Sustainability: DFY is actively building sponsorship opportunities to ensure financial sustainability while continuing to inspire children across the community.

    By combining a rich legacy, innovative programs, and a commitment to inclusion, DFY Academy transforms lives and inspires the next generation. Together, we’re creating opportunities that break barriers and build confidence, on and off the pitch.