Brown praise for football scheme

Sep 11 2007 By Catherine Lillington, Birmingham Mail

THE Prime Minister has told a Selly Oak community worker from Birmingham he will make a great ambassador in England's efforts to host the football World Cup.

Terence Wallen, who runs a five-a-side team, was invited to meet Gordon Brown in Downing Street for using the beautiful game to tackle gang culture.

The 34-year-old, from Handsworth, works with the African-Caribbean community in inner city Birmingham, through the Fresh-winds organisation.

The Charles United team is mostly made up of people who use the Selly Oak-based service, which deals with sexual health, substance abuse and crime prevention.

Terence presented the PM with a football jersey with his name on the back and asked him which team he supported.

"I was so excited and had a fantastic day," he said.

"Gordon Brown was very interested in what we're doing. He said we can make great ambassadors for the country for the World Cup.

"We've now got to continue to show Birmingham in a good positive light.

"I really wouldn't want to be doing anything else. It isn't just about playing football - it is the one common thing shared by the team who are getting together and discussing health."

The team is one of many in the Your Game All Stars scheme, run by the BBC and the Football Foundation, using football and music to engage young people from hard-to-reach communities.

Terence will use his skills to organise a festival of football and music for young people in Namibia, south west Africa, from September 16.

He will also take part in a conference with community workers from around the world to discuss issues such as using sport to combat HIV and Aids.