A vision is only a vision until it is mixed with passion, then it can become a reality.

For Tyrone Sterling and Reggie Oliver, their vision to use the power of football to tackle antisocial behaviour in St. Mary Cray mixed with their passionate desire to make it happen, has borne much fruit.

Today their community work is making a positive impact in the lives of young people, not just in the Cray’s but right across the Bromley borough and beyond.

The Beginning

It all started after Tyrone, who lives in St. Mary Cray, witnessed the effects of antisocial behaviour on the lives of his neighbours and friends.

Not a man to ’pass by on the other side’, he decided to do something about it. At the time he was working for Charlton Athletic in their community outreach programme where he worked alongside Reggie Oliver.

The pair discussed the possibility of replicating the community work they were both engaged in, in Tyrone’s neighbourhood.

After committing themselves to the idea, they began to plan a way forward. But as any accountant will confirm, a new charitable work, like a business start up, requires financing. And like any new business you need the breaks to get ahead.

The big break

Their break came about because Tyrone plays semi-professional football for Cray Wanderers FC. They shared their plans with the club chairman, Gary Hillman, and the board who saw this as an opportunity to positively engage with the community the club has been a part of for the last 150 years.

And so in 2009, Cray Wanderers Community scheme was launched under the banner ‘Football for everyone’.

In the two years that have passed since it kicked off, the scheme has gone from strength to strength.

It now operates in 11 schools across the boroughs of Bromley, Croydon and Greenwich: teaching football to toddlers in nursery to aid their co-ordination and motor skills, and development of balance, to using soccer centred fun games with primary and secondary school pupils to help them develop self-confidence and team bonding.

Tyrone said about their school work: ‘Because we are part of Cray Wanderers football club, some people think we are looking for emerging soccer talent. They miss the point completely.

‘What we seek to do is impart how valuable and important each individual youngster is. We want to help build their self-esteem and through the activities we engage in show them their worth.

‘It is very unlikely that all of the youngsters we coach will become professional footballers, But everyone of them can lead a positive, healthy lifestyle. That is the message we want to get across.’

But the scheme doesn’t just operate during the school week. It also runs Saturday clubs and, outside of school term times, holiday clubs. All youngsters, both male and female, are welcome.

Unlike their school work, the upper age limit for the club‘s is more flexible and they regularly have people in their early twenties coming along.

Reggie explained: ’It it is important to earn their trust whatever their age and by talking with them, not down to them we gain their respect.

‘They love their football and that is our opportunity to explain how drinking and taking drugs can stand in the way of the sport they enjoy. Put simply, football get’s the youngsters off the streets so we use it as our mentoring tool.’

Tyrone added that the work he and Reggie are involved in helps young people to learn to communicate with one another and get on with one another.

‘That builds self-confidence and commitment‘, he said. ‘Qualities and skills that can be used in everyday life.’

During the first two years of the scheme, Tyrone and Reggie have built a network of partners including the NHS sexual health team, and the Cray safer neighbourhood teams.

These organisations can often be found supporting the work of the Cray Wanderers Community scheme at venues where it is holding an event.

Reggie said: ’It’s great to see the youngsters playing football with the coppers. Previously they would have been suspicious, even hostile towards the police. But here they are having a good laugh together. It certainly breaks down the barriers between them.’

The future

As the scheme grows so does the need for more coaches to work in the nursery’s, schools and in the Saturday and holiday clubs. Tyrone and Reggie have a policy of recruiting new coaches from the youngsters they mentor.

This is for the simple reason that their peers will be able to relate to them better because they’ve walked the same streets and have faced the same problems and issues.

On successful completion of their training, the new recruits will receive an FA (Football Association) level 1 and 2 qualification. They can then start taking coaching sessions under Tyrone and Reggie’s experienced gaze.

Once they’ve proved themselves, they will then be allowed to take the sessions on their own. So what does the future hold?

Tyrone explained that Cray Wanderers are seeking permission to build a football stadium in St. Paul’s Cray. If this happens they will be able to expand their work in the Cray’s using facilities that previously they could only have dreamed of.

They have also partnered with another local charity called 360 who work with young people using rugby and cricket. This will be of mutual benefit as the scheme can extend its portfolio and 360 can tap into the football work.

Events

So if you are looking for something to do this Easter, or on a Saturday morning, why not come along to one of the Cray Wanderers Community clubs.

On Monday 18 April, the holiday club will be at St. Mary Cray recreation ground from 10am until 2pm. The following day, Tuesday 19 April, it will be at Hoblingwell Green in St. Paul’s Cray between 10am and 12 noon.

Then every Saturday from 30 April, the Saturday morning club will be held at Hoblingwell Green from 10.30am until 12noon.

Why not come along and take part in one of these free club’s which include football coaching and a ‘world cup’ tournament.

And if you think you can help with this work, would like to partner with the scheme, or just want some more information, telephone Tyrone Sterling on 07951 289 797 or Reggie Oliver on 07920 449 112, or visit the Cray Wanderers Community scheme at www.craywands.co.uk/communityscheme.htm.