Rotherham United scheme among South Yorkshire projects using sport to deter young people from crime

Mufasser Aslam’s life may be on quite a different path were it not for the Saalik Youth Project. The scheme uses sport and physical activity to help those from ethnically diverse communities in Burngeave, Sheffield.
Laura Reid
By Laura Reid
Published 4th Apr 2023, 11:50 BST
Updated 4th Apr 2023, 12:07 BST

“Speaking honestly, if it wasn’t for Saalik, I might be doing criminal things because ours is not the best of areas to grow up in and there’s a lot of negative things going on that are easily accessible,” Mufasser, 21, says. “For us, Saalik plays an important role of being held accountable by your coach and peers for what you say or do...You learn responsibility and you learn that all actions have consequences, whether that’s for yourself or other people.”

Mufasser has been attending sports session in the area since the age of six. He now supports Saalik youth development worker Imran Ali as a coach and role model for young people starting on the same journey as his own. Mufasser was recently named young person of the year at the 2023 Levelling the Playing Field Regional Awards for South Yorkshire. The accolades recognise individuals and organisations committed to using sport to deter young people from crime.

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Imran also walked away with an award, having worked with young people for many years, using sport as an engagement tool to offer positive opportunities and protect from harm. “We’re well aware of the issues that go on in our area so we serve the young people who need us most,” Imran explains.

Some of those involved in Rotherham United Community Sports Trust, which runs the United 4 Communities project, working with refugees and asylum seekers housed in the area.Some of those involved in Rotherham United Community Sports Trust, which runs the United 4 Communities project, working with refugees and asylum seekers housed in the area.
Some of those involved in Rotherham United Community Sports Trust, which runs the United 4 Communities project, working with refugees and asylum seekers housed in the area.

“We promote youth leadership, social, mental and physical health and it keeps our young people away from negative influences.”

Levelling the Playing Field is a scheme run by the Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice, in partnership with the Youth Justice Board. It uses the power of sport and physical activity to engage and improve health and life outcomes for ethnically diverse children who are more likely to enter, or already involved with, the Criminal Justice System.

Projects in four areas – South Yorkshire, West Midlands, Gwent and London – are partners in the programme.

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The regional awards were held across each area, with winners from all four ceremonies progressing to the shortlist for the national awards in July.

Rotherham United Community Sports Trust won in the young cohort of the year category, with the United 4 Community project, formed from refugees and asylum seekers housed in the area.

The group get together to play football, with the aim of boosting mental and physical wellbeing and integrating into the local community.

Youth and inclusion manager Ant Bayou says: “We’ve had individuals coming out of war-torn countries with some really sad and unfathomable experiences...experiences no person should have to go through.

“The impact of them coming here, being settled in Rotherham and being part of everyday life has been massive.”

Related topics:South YorkshireRotherham UnitedSheffield