Arsenal footballer Reiss Nelson has self-funded a new football pitch for kids at the Aylesbury Estate school he attended.
Along with Gunners legend Ian Wright, Reiss visited Michael Faraday Primary School to open the astroturf pitch, and meet excited pupils, on Friday, November 18.
Reiss Nelson said: “This place is my home and funding a new pitch for the kids was an accomplishment very close to my heart. This is just the first step of ‘The Nelson’ project which aims to create safe spaces for the next generation to express themselves through sport.
“I want the kids to know that the pitch they will be playing on was built by someone just like them, who believed and dreamed. That’s why I am doing this and why I am so passionate about it.”
A charity endeavour close to Reiss’ heart, the pitch has been launched with mentoring organisation Mentivity, which supports young people, families and schools to improve educational outcomes.
On the day, Reiss and Ian signed football shirts, took part in a school assembly, and even had a kick-about with students on the new pitch.
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Sayce Holmes-Lewis, who runs Mentivity, and has known Reiss since he was eight, was at the launch. He said: “This has been years in the making.
“Reiss wanted to create a new football pitch and support people on their journey through football… it’s all about paving the way for the next generation.”
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The new pitch will be used by school pupils and there are plans to make it available for wider community use.
The new pitch is a cage pitch meaning it has fences around the side. Reiss said: “Cage pitches are about creativity and finding new ways to play the game and express yourself – for kids to find confidence and expression and go on and do great things in whatever they choose.”
Deputy Headteacher Sarah Haley said: “We’ve got a lot of Arsenal fans here, including me, so it was very exciting for the children!”
Reiss was born in Elephant and Castle and grew up on the Aylesbury Estate, joining the Arsenal academy aged nine.
He has made 25 senior appearances, scoring three goals, and has enjoyed successful loan spells at Dutch side Feyenoord and Germany’s 1899 Hoffenheim.
Last month, he grabbed the nation’s back pages with two goals that helped high-flying Arsenal to a 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
Sayce, who coached Reiss when he competed for Southwark in the London Youth Games, told the News it was important for young people to meet locally-raised role models.
“It’s important because representation is powerful and young people will never forget these moments, the sort that will inspire them to get closer to their dreams and see that journey as tangible,” he said.
Reiss said: “Thank you to my family for being there with me every step of the way and the school, pupils, community, my team and media partners who made this dream come true. I hope you can all join me on this journey of building a better tomorrow for the next generation.”
Southwark has produced the third most England footballers of all London boroughs
