London football coach blazing a trail for disadvantaged children nominated for prestigious award

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• International Football
• Grassroots Football

Elias Fazli has been a key part of the work done by charity Sports Fun 4 All, which provides a safe space for three to 19-year-olds to play football across south London, many of whom come from difficult upbringings

A Bellingham football coach has been nominated for a presitigous award after delivering over 900 free training sessions to disadvantaged children in 2025.

Elias Fazli has been a key part of the work done by charity Sports Fun 4 All, which provides a safe space for three to 19-year-olds to play football across south London, many of whom come from difficult upbringings.

Fazli was helped by the charity as a child and has risen to become one of their most valued employees, as demonstrated by his nomination for Volunteer of the Year at the 2026 London Sport Awards.

He said: “It’s great we’re having such a big impact on such a small budget. If you look at the impact reports, you can see the number of young people we’re dealing with and so many are from low-income households, live in social housing, and are on free school meals.”

Fazli grew up in the area he now coaches in, having attended Segdehill Academy in Bellingham, where many of the kids he coaches go to school.

As the winner of the Sport & Recreation Alliance Coach of the Year 2025 award, he knows what many of the children have experienced and how he can help.

He said: “We get a whole range of kids. Some are respectful towards the coaches, while others aren’t, but it’s our job to teach them things and tell them how they’re supposed to behave.

“I went to the same school and grew up in the same area as a lot of these kids. For us, teaching them about how to behave in different places is important."

The London Sport Awards take place on 29 April, with the best of the capital's sporting industry being recognised across a variety of categories.

South London is no stranger to footballing talent, with the likes of Jadon Sancho, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Wilfried Zaha all hailing from the area but Sports Fun 4 All are keen to emphasise enjoyment for everyone at all levels.

Fazli said: “Football is the best medium because everyone enjoys it. It’s like a magnet to young people.

“Even if someone isn’t that good, it’s still great for their physical and mental health - it’s an environment where they can just come and have fun.

“It’s great that we reinvest so much into the youth. I was 16 when I started volunteering two days a week, then [founder and CEO] Kieran Connolly upskilled me and taught me how to coach.”

London Sport is a charity that helps all Londoners live longer, healthier and happier lives through being active. The London Sport Awards, supported by the City of London Corporation, shines a spotlight on the capital’s unsung heroes who are helping Londoners lead more physically active lives. Find out more at www.londonsport.org