Arsenal in the Community has played host to Kicks Not Flicks, an annual football tournament that raises money for The Ben Kinsella Trust to help combat knife crime.
On Saturday, September 16, a dedicated group consisting of Connor Durnell, Rasheed Alawiye, Joseph Charm, Eli Delisser, John Robinson, Wayne Shand and Scott Innes, known as the Kicks Not Flicks Team, organised a five-a-side football event at The Arsenal Hub.
The primary objective of this event was to raise both awareness and funds for the anti-knife crime organisation and No More Red charity partner, The Ben Kinsella Trust. This annual event, which started in 2017 with the aim of raising funds for Grenfell residents, has shifted its focus to addressing knife crime issues and has attracted a variety of teams from different parts of London.
The atmosphere at The Arsenal Hub began to build as DJ Bonny cranked up a mix of Afro-beat and UK hip hop. The tournament kicked off after lunch and followed a super-six round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the semi-finals. The games, played at a brisk pace, consisted of 15-minute halves and showcased impressive football skills.
In the final, 2022 champions FC International faced off against The Mariners. FC International made a strong start and it looked as if their experience as going to win out, but The Mariners made a remarkable comeback, securing a 3-1 victory thanks to their sharp counterattacks and clinical finishing. However, the true winner of the event was the spirit of camaraderie and positivity that permeated throughout.
Dean Miller, Community Development Coordinator at Arsenal in the Community, was delighted with the event. “I’m really pleased that everyone had a great time. This is an important venue for the young people in north London and events like this are a good reminder of the core values within our local community,” he said.
Pat Green, CEO of the Ben Kinsella Trust, was full of praise for the Kicks Not Flicks Team for their consistent support.
“We’re really grateful to the Kick Not Flicks Team for raising vital funds for our cause,” he said. “They’ve been brilliant for us over the last few years. It’s the 15-year anniversary of Ben’s murder this year. He was stabbed and killed in 2008 during a senseless act and since then our mission has been to do everything to combat the influence of gangs and knife crime our streets.
“Whether through the use of our education strand or diversion activities, our work is focused on stopping young people being another negative statistic. So we really appreciate all the support.”
As part of their campaign to reach their £3,000 target, the Kicks Not Flicks Team is offering a chance to win an Arsenal home shirt signed by the 2022/23 first-team squad. Anyone interested can participate by making a donation to their JustGiving page here.
For more information and to support The Ben Kinsella Trust, click here.
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