Call for more fibre provider teams to enter The Big Goal

Tue, 21/01/2025 - 11:43
Focus vs Giacom

The organisers of a combined charity football tournament and CSR initiative in the ICT industry are calling on more fibre providers to get involved in 2025 and help young homeless people change their lives.

The Big Goal, launched in 2024, saw over 40 tech companies compete in a professional five-a-side tournament run by the Street Soccer Foundation, which culminated in a final’s day at St George’s Park – the Home of England football in November.

Virgin Business Media were the eventual winners of The Big Goal National Cup, beating Elite Group in the final. In the build up to the finals, regional tournaments were staged at Brentford FC, Nottingham Forest FC and Sunderland AFC. Teams competing included headline sponsor Giacom, CityFibre, Vorboss, TalkTalk, ANS, Onecom, Focus Group and Daisy Communications.

The Big Goal helps homeless and disadvantaged young people via the educational football-based academies run by the Street Soccer Foundation at professional clubs all over the UK. By combining football’s universal appeal with corporate partnership, the academies provide struggling young people with essential life skills, confidence, and pathways to employment, education and stability. These academies are funded by tech companies that pay to enter the nationwide football tournament.

In its first year in 2024, The Big Goal raised over £100,000 and helped 462 disadvantaged young people gain some direction in their lives and lift themselves out of homelessness and poverty via the 44 academies run under The Big Goal umbrella.

“ICT companies support many worthy causes, but alongside Giacom, The Big Goal is the first initiative that has ‘united’ us in one common cause - to end youth homelessness in the UK,” said co-founder of The Big Goal, Nigel Sergent.

“On top of that, The Big Goal represents a ‘ready-made’ CSR and social impact programme providing a netful of benefits for members. Staff not only get the chance to play in a top-quality tournament but also can get fully involved in Street Soccer Academies at their local football clubs. Just imagine how much organisations would value the opportunity to visit clubs like Everton FC, where Elite Group staged their academy, and meet the youngsters they are a helping face-to-face.

“Equally, Onecom CEO Martin Flick met and inspired homeless youngsters taking part in the SSF academy at Portsmouth FC, giving his company enormous PR benefits.”

Terry O’Brien, CEO of The Big Goal’s main sponsor Giacom, hopes more fibre providers will enter the tournament and reap the benefits of a tailor-made CSR initiative.

“Frankly. I’m amazed more fibre providers have not signed up to The Big Goal. Many must have football teams playing on a casual basis. What team wouldn’t want to compete against other tech companies at top notch venues and even get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play at the Home of England football? This initiative unites our industry like no other and ticks all the social impact boxes for participating businesses. It is especially potent for fibre providers operating in local areas who want to be seen putting something back into their community.”

Sergent added: “There’s a brilliant, highly professional campaign video on The Big Goal website and a full explanation of the various membership opportunities available. We sincerely hope more fibre suppliers will join The Big Goal and be part of an award-winning movement that changes lives through the power of football.”

To find out more go to www.thebiggoal.co.uk.

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