Big Win for The Big Goal

The Big Goal, an initiative launched by Giacom in collaboration with Comms Dealer and The Street Soccer Foundation, has won the Charity Champions category of the prestigious Channel Champions Awards. This recognition highlights the profound impact The Big Goal has had in addressing youth homelessness through the power of football.

Launched on October 4, 2023, at St George’s Park, The Big Goal aims to combat youth homelessness by enabling over 1600 young people to join Street Soccer Foundation academies. The initiative unites companies across the Channel to sponsor academies of ten young people, providing them with valuable skills for transitioning into work or education. The overarching goal is to support Street Soccer Foundation and young people in local communities, teaching them employment skills and opening pathways to technology careers through additional mentoring, apprenticeships, and work experience.

The Big Goal is a bold venture focused on community integration and social impact. By aligning Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals with industry-wide participation, The Big Goal has created significant opportunities for underprivileged youths. Giacom, as the headline sponsor, has provided extensive support in project management, event planning, relationship building, and branding.

The launch event at St George’s Park was a pivotal moment, inspiring 34 businesses to join the cause. Since then, The Big Goal has funded 44 Street Soccer Foundation academies, benefiting 420 young individuals. Regional tournaments have further facilitated team building and community bonding within the Channel. Giacom has sponsored five academies near its offices, strengthening local community ties.

According to Street Soccer Foundation, every pound invested in The Big Goal has returned £17 in social value to the communities. This initiative marks the first time the Channel has united to tackle a collective goal, creating a lasting positive impact on young lives.

Keith Mabbutt, Founder and CEO of the Street Soccer Foundation, said, “This national accolade is incredibly humbling and represents a marvellous start to the nationwide campaign we’ve created in The Big Goal. Having united the sector through the initiative in the way we have done, with the fantastic support of Giacom, as well as Comms Dealer and Sky, we hope to now build on this success with a national award-winning campaign that is genuinely changing lives for the better.”

Terry O’Brien, CEO of Giacom, added, “Winning the Charity Champions award is a remarkable achievement, highlighting the incredible impact The Big Goal has had for young people across the country. As the headline sponsor, we are immensely proud of how the Channel has united in support of this cause, bringing positive changes to communities and young lives nationwide. With so much already accomplished, it’s easy to forget that The Big Goal is still only in its first year, so this is just the beginning of many more incredible achievements to come.”

The Big Goal’s triumph at the Channel Champions Awards is a testament to its success and the positive changes it has brought to communities and young lives. As The Big Goal continues to grow, it aims to expand its reach, further uniting the Channel in its mission to combat youth homelessness and create opportunities for underprivileged youths.

For more information about The Big Goal and its initiatives, please visit thebiggoal.co.uk