Achieving Greatness
Safia, England
HR Sports Academy is dedicated to empowering children and young people with life skills and building a brighter future for youths by enhancing the quality of their sporting, educational and work experiences. Provisions include sport in schools, evening and weekend training sessions, school holiday programmes, a football club, a youth club, day events, tournaments, award ceremonies, workshops, alternative education, apprenticeships, traineeships and work experience placements. The NFL Flag programme uses NFL Flag football to bring people together, strengthen communities and improve the physical and mental health of young Londoners.
My name is Safia, I live in Tottenham and I am in my first year of college. I am 17 and have been with HR Sports Academy for almost three years, when NFL flag PE sessions happened in my school and then I started going to the community sessions. I have always been passionate about sports since a young age and have continued to be involved with sports leading into my teen years.
My sports journey has been a rocky one but overall very fulfilling. I play many sports such as football, NFL flag football, and rugby. I started playing NFL about two years ago when I originally started at HR and it has been one of the most exciting sports I have participated in there. Other than the fun and health factors from sport, I enjoy the fact that I can meet new people and increase my confidence with my peers and also in my performance. As a girl in sport I have had to overcome adversity due to my gender and what people believe I am capable of, but it only pushes me to continually surpass the expectations set of me and grow as a sportswoman.
What did you try to capture with the photos? Was there a wider meaning?
The photos were taken at Markfield Park and at Woodside High School during our half term camps at HR. I captured some of the most influential people I know - my coaches and my friends that have pushed me forward and supported my journey. They all have had their own individual roles in helping me become the person I am today.
I tried to capture raw photographs of in-sport moments during NFL games, mixed in with showing the process for making a great sports player during training.
What role does American Football play in your community? Is it an inclusive sport that anyone can play?
I believe that NFL flag football is a very inclusive sport. Anyone of any age, gender, or ethnicity has the ability to participate in the sport. I have also realised that the people I have met along the way playing are very friendly and inclusive themselves.
American Football has brought together a tight knit community of individuals with amazing personalities and outstanding skills. The sport is becoming more widely advertised for anyone interested and I hope that more people see what the sport is about and join in to increase numbers.
What impact has the HR Academy program had on you and your community?
The HR Sports Academy NFL program has helped me develop physically, emotionally, and mentally. I am constantly exposed to incredible people that strive for the best for themselves but equally are there to uplift anyone else as well. It has widened my eyes to the opportunities out there and created an environment for young people like myself to express themselves through sports.
What ambitions do you have for the future?
In the future I wish to continue with sports and push my way to the top. I want to become a recognised footballer across the world so that other people that come from similar places and backgrounds to myself can see that it is possible to achieve greatness.
What do you think the future looks like for sport in your community and country? What do you want to change?
Youth sport is becoming more and more popular and I wish to see this continuing through the years. Sports has grown in the community and massively helps out the younger generation through difficulties. There are still factors within sports that need more attention and change such as the gender inequalities, but with time I can positively say that things will change. Certain minorities will get the attention that they deserve and it will become an even more inclusive community than it already is.
