The Huddle is made up of young people aged 16–25 who are actively involved in a StreetGames project or with one of our Community Partners.
The Huddle plays a vital role in shaping the future of StreetGames by:
- Connecting ideas to action
Helping us link national innovation and decision-making with real, on-the-ground delivery in local neighbourhoods. - Amplifying young voices
Making sure we’re listening to ideas and best practice from young people and our community partners. - Building bridges
Strengthening the connection between front-line delivery and StreetGames’ board - Sharing lived experience
Validating and expanding our learning through the insights of young people and community partners.
We asked the current members of The Huddle to share their experiences with StreetGames and their own connections to community sport.
Andres
Hometown: Leeds
Tell us about the youth group or community organisation that you are involved with.
LS14Trust in Seacroft, a strong bonded community that develops day by day with the help of the community. I mainly volunteer with the sports department. I started as a participant and found my passion of sport and getting others into sport from playing all the different sports they offer.
What opportunities have you been involved in through StreetGames?
I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of StreetGames. Some of the highlights would include going to a summer residential which made me want to apply and become a Young Advisor. Going back to a residential as a Young Advisor taught me a lot about working in a team to deliver an amazing experience to so many young people. I also actively take part in youth voice facilitated by StreetGames which actually makes a difference in the society we live in.
Why do you think community sport is important for young people?
We don’t all have the same opportunities in life but sport challenges that by giving young people the opportunity to get stuck in within in their own community, without having to go very far. Also, it provides a community to be part of and make great friendships but most importantly strengthening the bond of the community.
What is your favourite sporting moment?
My favourite moment would have to be when our organisation went together to watch England at the Women’s T20 Series as part of the 2022 Summer Camp.
Eleeza
Hometown: Cardiff
Tell us about the youth group or community organisation that you are involved with.
I am currently involved with the Grange Pavilion Youth Forum, and more recently, as an umbrella organisation, the Grange Pavilion Sports Hub. It’s a group of young people with a passion for making positive changes in our local area. We work on different projects to make sure the community benefits and to better the lives of future generations. More specifically, I coach a football team as part of Grange Pavilion Sports Hub.
What opportunities have you been involved in through StreetGames?
I have been involved with StreetGames through being a Young Advisor, and this really helped to boost my confidence and expand my networks by meeting new people. On top of this, I was also part of the first ever Doorstep Sport Advisory Group, where I expanded my network even further through meeting likeminded young people and this helped me out of my comfort zone to explore new areas of sport.
Why do you think community sport is important for young people?
Community sport gives people a place to be themselves along with the people they want to share it with. It branches people out to discover new places, new sports, and meet new people, as well as being themselves and enjoying what they love most. Without community sport, I wouldn’t be where I am today!
What is your favourite sporting moment?
My favourite sporting moment is either watching Wales play at the Euros in Switzerland in the summer, or when my sister and I were a part of the Euro 2028 bid, representing Wales alongside Gareth Bale.
Ikram
Hometown: Cardiff
Tell us about the youth group or community organisation that you are involved with.
I am a part of the Grange Pavillion Youth Forum. The Grange Pavillion was built in 2019 and before this anti-social behaviour and activities were quite common. I personally believe one of the reasons for this is at the time there weren’t a lot of activities for young people to engage in and the activities there were cost quite a lot of money. I became passionate very quickly. I was able to plan and host events. I was able to meet new people and help those who, like me came from underprivileged and underrepresented backgrounds. I’ve had my own struggles with mental health and racism, it’s an important topic to me, but my experience is why I am here today. Grange Pavillion gave me the opportunity to not only share my voice and inspire others to stray away from the path I was once on but to help others in ways I never got. Alongside this I get time to switch off from day-to-day life and play football within and with the community and through that I get to meet new people and make friends.
What opportunities have you been involved in through StreetGames?
I first got involved with StreetGames directly as a member of The Huddle, sharing my experiences with how sport and interaction can help a lot with mental health and racism as well as what my goals are and how I can go from sharing my voice and experiences within my community to around the UK.
Since then, I was invited to be part of a team in Wales who have created a Young Person’s Manifesto ahead of the Welsh elections, where again I was able to share my passion for creating better opportunities to support young people’s mental health.
Most recently, I was able to share my story and experiences at the Labour Party Conference.
It has made a huge difference on my life. I am not as closed minded as I once was, I’m not trying to follow the crowd. I don’t just get to make a difference to my own life, but to inspire and help others make a difference to theirs.
Why do you think community sport is important for young people?
I believe community sport is important as not only does it allow young people to get more involved in their communities but it also keeps young people (like myself) away from anti-social activities, it gives young people the opportunity to express themselves through sport and volunteering.
What is your favourite sporting moment?
Meeting Gareth Bale was a memorable experience for me.
Jack
Hometown: Liverpool
Tell us about the youth group or community organisation that you are involved with.
I got involved with Colin at Positive Futures through school as I was getting into trouble and was mixing with the wrong people out of school which had an effect on my behaviour. Positive Futures is a national youth crime prevention programme which Colin runs through a boxing and gym club in Birkenhead for teenage boys and girls who have either offended or are at risk of offending or getting into trouble. Since doing a restorative justice course, I have been working with Colin getting my life back on track doing activities such as mountain biking, gym work and boxing.
What opportunities have you been involved in through StreetGames?
Colin suggested I applied to be a Young Advisor as part of the Doorstep Sport Advisory Group to share my experience and help shape their work. I’ve attended meetings and been involved in shaping StreetGames’ Youth Voice work as well as providing ideas to inform their workforce development, based on my own experiences. As part of The Huddle, I have travelled to the Team GB offices and the Olympic Park which are both places I’d never normally have the chance to.
Why do you think community sport is important for young people?
Community sport gives young people a second chance and to choose the right path. It gives us a sense of belonging, a sense of accomplishment and a sense of purpose. It also provides a safe space and someone you can trust
What is your favourite sporting moment?
Winning lots of trophies playing footy.
Lara
Hometown: Bridgend
Tell us about the youth group or community organisation that you are involved with.
I started volunteering in a small youth club called Bettws Boys & Girls Club (B&GC) which is local to where I live. As a volunteer and young leader, I aim to be a good role model, offer support wherever possible and set a good standard to make sure that everyone is safe and happy. Bettws B&GC provide young people in the local area the opportunity to take part in positive activity locally, but also internationally.
What opportunities have you been involved in through StreetGames?
My first opportunity with StreetGames came in 2023 when I was trained to be a Peer Researcher for Bettws B&GC – having done some training, with my girls we carried out some research and then pitched for funding to broaden the offer for young girls locally and deliver a new cheerleading offer for our community. This opportunity prompted me to apply to be a Young Advisor for the volunteer residentials that StreetGames runs. I was part of a team that went to Brathay to design a brilliant residential for 60 other young people. These positive experiences meant that I have remained involved with StreetGames and always say yes! These opportunities and experiences have given me the confidence to start university and apply to be part of the Children’s Coaching Collaborative (CCC) Youth Advisory Group too, as I think it’s so important for my voice to be heard and be able to give back to help other young people.
Why do you think community sport is important for young people?
I think community sport empowers young people with ranges of support and opportunities for their interests and peace of mind.
Mia
Hometown: West Brom
Tell us about the youth group or community organisation that you are involved with.
I’ve always grown up in sport and I’ve been volunteering all my life; I had the opportunity to represent England as a swimmer and then at 13, I volunteered with the younger swimming lessons. At 15, I began volunteering with AnyGirl Netball twice a week, a non-profit organisation who support young girls to do something safe and off the streets.
What opportunities have you been involved in through StreetGames?
My first interaction with StreetGames was as a Young Advisor for the Young Person’s Manifesto, after my coach suggested I applied. As a team of young people from across England and Wales, we developed questions and approaches to gather information from our peers to represent the true voice of disadvantaged young people ahead of the General Election in 2024.
It has provided me with opportunities to talk at conferences and share my journey with sport and mental health: I presented the Manifesto at the Conservative Party Conference, worked with partners Mental Health UK on a new training course, and co-delivered a workshop around Youth Voice at a national conference.
StreetGames gave me a voice, and it let all these ideas I had, have a meaning and have them all be heard.
Why do you think community sport is important for young people?
Sport is more than sport. No matter who you are, sport is for everybody – there is something out there for everyone. It is precious – it so important.
Sport gives young people a sense of belonging and social identity.
Sport turned me into the woman I am today, building my confidence and it’s why I am now in my first year at university doing a degree apprenticeship with my dream university and working for my favourite team, West Bromwich Albion.
What is your favourite sporting moment?
Being able to get back involved with sport and being able to play netball again and coach too.
Mubarakat
Hometown: Birmingham
Tell us about the youth group or community organisation that you are involved with.
I am a participant and volunteer coach with AnyGirl Netball, which brings Netball and Multisport to ‘Any Girl’ so that they can enjoy sport, but also have access to support and mentoring and enhance employability skills.
What opportunities have you been involved in through StreetGames?
I first got involved with StreetGames Youth Design Jam in collaboration with Sport England and Innovation Unit where, with other young people, we co-designed and pitched our ideas focused on embedding youth voice. Since then, as part of my role in The Huddle, I was invited to be on the judging panel for the StreetGames Sport for Development Awards 2024 and shared my story and experiences at the Labour Party Conference in 2025. Some of my favourite moments with StreetGames have been on residentials – as a participant a the #NextGen Leadership residential and as a Youth Advisory Group member for the Children’s Coaching Collaborative (CCC). These experiences have given me the skills and confidence to support my future.
Why do you think community sport is important for young people?
It gives young people a space for them, to play and develop in a sport they love, socialise and make lasting friendships. By giving young people the opportunity to do all these things it can show up in the way they interact on a daily basis in schools, with friends and in the community. It also gives them the opportunity to take time for themselves away from anything outside of that community space.
What is your favourite sporting moment?
Tokyo 2020/21 Olympics watching Suni Lee win an overall Gold (gymnastics).
Rosheen
Hometown: Cardiff
Tell us about the youth group or community organisation that you are involved with.
I am currently involved with the Grange Pavilion Youth Forum, and more recently, as an umbrella organisation, the Grange Pavilion Sports Hub. It’s a group of young people with a passion for making positive changes in our local area. We work on different projects to make sure the community benefits and to better the lives of future generations. More specifically, I coach a football team as part of Grange Pavilion Sports Hub.
What opportunities have you been involved in through StreetGames?
A few years back, around the World Cup tournament time, I was lucky enough to be a Young Advisor, planning and delivering a World Cup celebration event, which really boosted my confidence to continue my journey through sport. A few months after that, I became a Peer Researcher to research and then pitch to deliver a new sporting offer for my community and this really helped to boost my confidence even further. On top of this, I was also part of the first ever Doorstep Sport Advisory Group, where I met a lot of new people and this helped me out of my comfort zone to explore new areas of sport.
Why do you think community sport is important for young people?
Community sport gives young people a place to move, belong, and grow. It strengthens their bodies, sparks confidence, builds friendships, and teaches the quiet arts of teamwork and resilience. It’s a small arena where they can try, fail, try again, and feel supported through it all.
What is your favourite sporting moment?
My favourite sporting moment is either when Wales reached the Euro 2016 Semi Final, or when my sister and I were a part of the Euro 2028 bid, representing Wales alongside Gareth Bale.
Zain
Hometown: Wigan
Tell us about the youth group or community organisation that you are involved with.
I work at Wigan Youth Zone. They offer a safe place for young people aged 8-19 to help them unlock their passion. I was there as a young member myself and have now been an official staff member for nearly four years. I have enjoyed the experience empowering young people through sporting activities and friendship.
What opportunities have you been involved in through StreetGames?
StreetGames have offered me a brilliant variety of options. I first became a member of The Huddle. We would collaborate on ideas to support StreetGames with their youth empowerment work. Last summer, I took part in Sport England’s Design Jam, where loads of young people gathered in London with sector partners to co-create and present our ideas focused on embedding young voices within their work. I was then involved in the #NextGen residential as a Young Advisor, where as a team we led and delivered the residential and I made some amazing memories. I then recently took the offer to work as a Young Assessor in Derbyshire. I learnt so much and rather than talking with young people to support them, I supported them in a different way. I brought forward their opinions and needs to the people that can help massively make that difference for them. I am soon to do more Local Youth Transformation Programme (LYTP) work in different areas of the country and can’t wait. I have also agreed to onboard the Young Assessor steering group for the National Youth Agency that was brought forward by StreetGames. Clearly StreetGames opportunities are endless and don’t only empower young people, but also their workforce.
Why do you think community sport is important for young people?
The benefits are endless. When I was a young person, community sport helped me build my confidence, meet liked minded people with similar passions, and keep engaged with healthy physical activities. Community sports offer young people a safe space to keep out of harm’s way where they can truly be themselves.
What is your favourite sporting moment?
StreetGames’ Lake District residential, when I jumped with a young person into the lake. There is a video somewhere!