More than 120 community volunteers joined forces to renovate the Deportive El Coyolit pitch – used by the Futbol Matters project in Mexico City - which received the highest number of votes in the latest instalment of the Cityzens Giving campaign.
Based in Gustavo Madero, the pitch now sports a fresh coat of paint, solar energy lighting and covered stands for spectators.
The municipality has one of the highest rates of crime and violence in the area and earlier this year fans voted to make a difference in this community, while Gabriel Jesus has also shared his support.
Since then, Young Leaders have been running a project called Futbol Matters that aims to use the power of football to tackle this issue and leave a lasting legacy that will shape the next generation.
The regeneration of the pitch was developed in partnership with love.fútbol and the Mexico City-based organization Jóvenes Constructores de la Comunidad (JCC).
Led by young people from the community, the project provided them with valuable skills for their own employability as well as creating a safe space for other young people to play football, connect and learn.
Leaders were also given an extra confidence boost and further developed their leadership skills with Manchester City community coaches.
Working with the young leaders prior to the renovation, they helped to equip them with the leadership, teamwork and communication skills needed to deliver their life changing football project on the new pitch.
Over the coming years, these young leaders will work with 400 local children from the community on the newly renovated pitch.
“As with all our projects, this achievement is the result of a collective effort by a community of football fans and people who believe in the positive impact sports can have in the lives of young people,” said Manoel Silva, Director of Operations at Love.Fútbol.
“The support received by Manchester City and its community of fans has been fantastic and we’re excited to be using the power of football to make a difference to the community”,
Members of the community also expressed their happiness at the collective effort to provide a safe space for the practice of sport and other activities.
Longtime El Coyol resident, 56-year-old Alma Patricia Vazquez, added: “My heart is filled with joy to see the community coming together once more to rescue a space that is for everyone: children, young and old.”
