Hyundai And Ambassador Daniel Sturridge Help To #Changelivesthroughfootball

HIGH WYCOMBE, UNITED KINGDOM – Dec 10, 2012: In the UK, over one million young people are unemployed – that’s one in every five.

To help a little, Daniel Sturridge, England international & Chelsea football star and Team Hyundai ambassador, recently visited a Street League Academy at Wandle Recreation Centre in Wandsworth, London to hand over a cheque for €50,000 on behalf of Hyundai to streetfootballworld - the leading network in the field of social change through football - and its UK network member and charity, Street League.

This forms part of a larger €250,000 donation that will help disadvantaged young people across Europe to develop life and employability skills through structured football and educational programmes.

Sturridge met attendees of the Academy and joined one of their employability sessions. He observed first-hand how the programme helps young people who are not in employment or education to develop crucial skills to support them in the job market.

A training session then provided a memorable time for the group of 16-25 year old Academy participants, who were able to take to the pitch with one of the sport’s most promising talents. Afterwards, a Q&A session gave several of them the chance to quiz the 23-year-old striker on his football career.

Daniel Sturridge, who recently took delivery of a New Generation Hyundai Santa Fe, said of the experience, “I feel very happy that being part of Team Hyundai has let me become closely involved with the streetfootballworld initiative and Street League’s programme in the UK. As well as having great fun with my new training partners, I found it very rewarding to see how football can help engage young people in something that’s giving them new opportunities.”

Street League Academy participant Donovan Reid said, “Today was a wonderful experience. I felt excited to be able to not just speak with Daniel, but also to train with him. Thanks to Team Hyundai and streetfootballworld, I’ve been able to spend time with one of the biggest young talents in English football and it was a pleasure.”

Tony Whitehorn, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor UK commented, “Our visit to the Street League Academy has been a truly special experience for all concerned. streetfootballworld and charities like Street League are making a real difference to underprivileged young people here in the UK and across Europe and we are delighted to be able to support this valuable work.”

streetfootballworld’s founding partner Johannes Axster said: “The Hyundai donation will fund a pan-European employability initiative involving five local charities, with our network member Street League as the implementing partner in the UK. This project will enable thousands of young people across Europe to develop their skills and leadership abilities through a unique programme of football-based activities.”

Launch of Bespoke Film
To showcase the fantastic work of streetfootballworld and Street League, Hyundai has created a bespoke film focusing on the emotional connection that young people have with football. The film features Chelsea & England football star and Team Hyundai ambassador, Daniel Sturridge, and Street League Academy participants.

Music composed and film directed by Robert Samuels (Red Bee Media) and exclusive words crafted by spoken word poet, Polarbear.