A New Chapter in Community Engagement Programme: Our Partnership with Sala Futsal Club
We are thrilled to announce our first official partnership, as part of our community engagement community efforts, with the dynamic Sala Futsal Club based in Manchester. This marks a significant milestone for us, as we join forces with an organisation that shares our values of growth, development, and community support.
Sala Futsal Club, founded by Neil Lucas, has been a beacon for young footballers in the North of England. In just two years, Neil has grown the club into a thriving hub for young talent, coaching over 250 children each week. His commitment to the sport has not gone unnoticed—Neil has not only taken on the role of futsal tutor for the FA, delivering Futsal Coach Education Courses, but he also serves as a mentor, guiding coaches in their professional development. In 2017, his expertise led him to join the Manchester United FC Foundation as a Regional Talent Coach for futsal.
On Tuesday, 20th August, our very own Ambassadors, Mike Doyle and Gareth ‘Alfie’ Thomas, visited Sala Futsal Club to meet some of the players. The pair had the privilege of observing a girls’ training session, where they witnessed the incredible talent and dedication of the young players.
Neil Lucas was full of praise for our Ambassadors and the positive impact they made. Reflecting on the visit, Neil said:
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“I just wanted to say a big thank you to Gareth and Mike who came to see our girls train. They are wonderful people and true inspiration to our girls. What fantastic ambassadors for the Trade Centre. It was a real honour to meet them both.”
Our partnership with Sala Futsal Club underscores our commitment to supporting local communities and empowering the next generation of athletes. We look forward to building on this relationship and seeing the club continue to thrive, helping young players reach their full potential.
This is just the beginning of our community engagement journey, and we are excited to explore further opportunities to contribute to local projects and initiatives. We are proud to support Sala Futsal Club and can’t wait to see what the future holds for this incredible team.
Mark Bailey, the founder and owner of Trade Centre UK, echoes Neil’s sentiment and emphasised how the partnership reflects the values that drive our community engagement programme. He stated ”We’re incredibly proud to partner with Sala Futsal & Soccer Club. Their dedication to developing young players mirrors the core values we hold dear – Service, Teamwork, Passion, Integrity, and Community. At the heart of everything we do is a desire to give back and support those around us. Sala Futsal & Soccer Club is an excellent example of how football can be used to empower and inspire future generation, and we’re excited to be a part of it.“
Mike Doyle, one of our Ambassadors, shared his thoughts on the visit, expressing his admiration for the players’ skills and dedication “It was an absolute pleasure to visit Sala Futsal Club and watch the girls train. I was genuinely impressed by the level of skill, determination, and passion they brought to the session. These young group of girls are incredibly talented, and it’s clear that they have a bright future ahead of them. The club is doing a fantastic job of nurturing that talent, and I’m honoured to be part of supporting such a positive and inspiring environment.”
We look forward to continuing our support for Sala Futsal Club and other community-driven initiatives, as we work together to create lasting positive change. Stay tuned for more updates on our partnerships and community programmes!