Year in review 2018: January to June

As 2018 draws to a close, we look back on an exciting and historic 12 months for Foundation of Light as we counted down to the opening of our new home, the £20 million Beacon of Light!

January

• The Foundation's Primary Stars Events Coordinator Helen Edwards celebrated being selected for the FIFA Women’s Assistant Referee List for 2018 www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/helen-appointed-fifa-assistant-referee/
• A teenager from our Football Scholarship programme made her debut for England Women’s Under 17s against Japan www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/scholar-jael-makes-england-debut/
• More of our Football Scholars made their mark on the international stage after forward Cieran Jackson was selected for England Under 18 Schoolboys for the Centenary Shield www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/scholar-jackson-named-england-squad/
• We partnered with North Star Housing to launch our innovative ‘Back in the Game’ employment initiative in Hartlepool www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/back-game-launches-hartlepool/

   

February

• Almost 80 youngsters took part in a girls’ football festival in Sunderland supported by SAFC Ladies players www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/girls-football-festival-shows-off-primary-stars/
• Sunderland Regional Talent Club players Mia and Libbi joined up with the England Schools U15s squad for the first training camp ahead of March's Bob Docherty Trophy www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/mia-libby-link-three-lions-squad/
• We offered a helping hand to the region’s veterans with the launch of a new project in partnership with the Armed Forces Covenant www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/veterans-supported-new-programme/
• More than 150 County Durham youngsters took part in a special event which demonstrated their commitment to raise awareness of racism, disability and to look beyond stereotyping. www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/greenfield-pupils-gain-respect-foundation/
• Oxclose Community Academy and St Bedes RC Comprehensive were victorious in our first girls EFL Girls Futsal Tournament on . www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/foundation-hosts-first-girls-futsal-tournament/
• Football Scholar Josh Smith was celebrating after securing a place at the University of Sunderland to study BA (Hons) Sports Journalism after achieving outstanding grades in his BTEC assessments. www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/foundation-scholar-secures-university-place/

 

March

• We has a launched a new Walking Football project aimed at people over 50 in partnership with Hetton School www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/new-walking-football-sessions-launched/
• The Beacon of Light made its first sports signing, with Foundation of Light’s Community Club moving into the state-of-the-art facility from the 2018-19 season www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/foundation-community-club-signs-up-for-beacon/
• We were excited to announce Pumas Futsal Club as our official Futsal partner for the 2018-19 season. www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/beacon-shines-for-pumas-futsal-club/
• We marked the 21st anniversary of World Book Day with a special celebration at the Stadium of Light attended by some special guests www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/foundation-celebrates-world-book-day/
• We offered even more youngsters the chance to don Sunderland AFC’s red and white stripes while studying towards nationally recognised qualifications by launching an education and training base at Hermitage Academy www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/foundation-launches-north-durham-scholarship/
• We launched new weekly coaching sessions to inspire more girls to play football and take part in organised sessions in a fun and engaging environment www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/foundation-launches-sse-wildcats-football-club/
• As part of the EFL’s Day of Action, Sunderland AFC manager Chris Coleman visited Ryhope Junior School, watching participants from our Coaches Academy put youngsters through their paces www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/efl-day-of-action/
• Foundation Trustee, television presenter and architect George Clark was given a glimpse of the future during a special tour of the Beacon of Light www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/tv-star-shocked-by-beacon-progress
• Hundreds of youngsters across Wearside were given opportunities to improve their lives as sofa and carpet specialist ScS continued their support of our Making Moves disability programme www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/foundation-partnership-is-suite-with-scs/

[embed]https://youtu.be/ZUxvO28FOLc[/embed]

April

• Global automotive giants Nissan backed the Beacon of Light to provide school leavers with the essential skills they need to enter the world of work www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/beacon-gears-up-with-nissan/
• Sir Bob Murray CBE and Foundation CEO Lesley Spuhler OBE were invited to Buckingham Palace  for a celebration lunch to commemorate the upcoming opening of the Beacon of Light www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/beacon-of-light-shines-at-buckingham-palace/
• We announced Sunderland Nursery School of the Year nominee Siblings Nursery was to open a new setting at the Beacon of Light in the summer www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/beacon-of-light-welcomes-siblings-nursery/

May

• Donald Love and Simona Koren were recognised for their support of Foundation of Light and local community projects www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/safc-duo-named-pfa-community-champions/
• Foundation trainee Jack, a young man with a hearing impairment, starred in a BT Sport film which focused on our Making Moves programme which is supported by funding from the Premier League & BT Disability initiative. www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/jack-bt-sport-feature/
• Our Football Scholarship Development Team won a prestigious regional competition after a thrilling final against Gateshead College www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/foundation-celebrates-cup-success/
• The Foundation's commitment to women’s and girls grassroots football has been recognised by the Football Association with our Girls’ Talent Pathway, which has engaged over 500 participants in the past 12 months, shortlisted for the ‘Best Participation Initiative’ at the Women’s Football Awards. www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/foundation-lights-pathway-for-women-and-girls/
• More than 250 pupils from North East primary schools enjoyed a fun-packed day of numerical challenges at our first Maths event www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/maths-day-adds-up-to-fun-for-youngsters/

[embed]https://youtu.be/aFEqeW273YU[/embed]

June

• After years of planning, £20million pounds of fundraising and 18 months of construction, Sunderland's newest sports, education health and events venue officially opened its door to the public.
• Football Scholar Kieron Parnaby was selected for a world-renowned coaching programme set up by England star Jamie Vardy www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/foundation-scholar-selected-for-jamie-vardy-academy/
• A team of cyclists, including Sunderland AFC legend Julio Arca, used pedal power to complete a gruelling 250-mile ride across Croatia to raise raising over £50,000 for Foundation of Light www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/cyclists-complete-croatian-coastal-challenge/
• Foundation of Light and Sunderland AFC announced the new football season fixtures at a special breakfast attended by Black Cats manager Jack Ross www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/supporters-step-up-for-fixtures-breakfast/
• More than 400 fundraisers of all ages got their running shoes on for the Lambton Run, with the 10k race won by Sunderland Harriers’ Oliver James while Team GB Olympian Aly Dixon was highest placed female. www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/lambton-run-2018-results/
• We were delighted to announce Tanni Grey-Thompson, one of the country’s most successful ever Paralympians and a leading campaigner for the development of sport in the UK, joined our Board of Trustees www.foundationoflight.co.uk/news/paralympics-hero-named-foundation-trustee/