ONE OF the key hubs in Brent is the Bridgestone Arena, formerly The Pavilion. The venue is the sporting home of the Jason Roberts Foundation. (JRF).

The Foundation was established in 2007 by the former professional footballer, media personality and social activist Jason Roberts as a means to put something back into the community he came from, and to underpin his belief in equal opportunities, rights and representation for individuals regardless of background or circumstance.

Initially focusing on the Stonebridge Estate in the London Borough of Brent, where Jason grew up, and in Grenada, where is his family originate from and for whom he played as an international footballer, the Foundation originally focused on football based social inclusion projects – initiatives that offered participation and playing opportunities to young people who otherwise had little chance of accessing coaching or opportunities to progress as players.

The JRF works across boundaries to engage and support young people.

In recent years the work of the Foundation has broadened to provide a more holistic programme of support including mentoring, life skills, education and training projects within its wider sports activities and has worked with young people at risk of offending, those excluded from school or struggling in the school curriculum, and young people with physical and learning difficulties.

Throughout this process, JRF works across boundaries to engage and support young people regardless of background or circumstance.

Within this context the Foundation has worked with a range of partners including the Home Office, Football Foundation, Wembley Stadium Trust, Housing Associations, businesses and community sector partners to ensure high quality delivery, at the right times, with the most needy young people.

Last year the Bridgestone Arena welcomed Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz prior to the making their World Cup bow in France.

The charismatic Girlz made the day of dozens of young people in northwest London. The FIFA World Cup debutants, visited the Bridgestone Arena in Brent to undertake coaching sessions during the half-term break.

The excited youngsters were able to get their pictures taken with the international players while also getting various items autographed. It was quite simply child’s play for the team from the Caribbean!

Otis Roberts, CEO of the Jason Roberts Foundation, said of the international visitors: “It was fantastic to welcome the Reggae Girlz to the Bridgestone Arena for this event. We were delighted to have the support from the Mayor of Brent, MP Dawn Butler and the community at large.

“The girls made a lasting impression on the young people and went to great lengths to engage with the many activities on offer.”