Estudiantes London was an idea before it was a club. That idea being that educational excellence and social mobility could be achieved via the medium of sporting excellence; that a committment to striving for excellence in sport could drive excellence in life.
It began as a futsal club in Tottenham. The ethos of the club focuses on the process and trusts that that process will ensure excellent outcomes. The bedrock of the club is education . This has seen attendance of participants at the local college with which the club has ties increase from 76 to over 96% while delivering more than 40 hours of football/futsal a month to those whose attendance to class met the threshold set by the club.
Our Mission
Estudiantes is a sport-for-development club based in Haringey, London. Using sports, we engage with young people to help them acquire the skills and qualifications that can help them enter university or the workforce.
Darren lives in London. He is currently completing his degree in Development and Sport. He has experience in developing successful programs for some large clubs including FC Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur Foundation as well as working for some leading football for development organisations
Marcus lives in London. Has a degree in Economics from Royal Holloway University. He works as a football journalist at Eurosport. He is passionate about the impact of football on youth development. Growing up in Haringey, Marcus knows the role sport can play in building positive futures.
Jon lives in Essex and has been assisting the club since its foundation. Jon works in Scientific research and brings his experience to oversee and direct the club, A keen football supporter, when possible Jon attends our football and futsal games to support the team.
Maria lives in London,. She completed her degree in Law from Birkbeck, The University of London. Maria has an interest in social justice, refugees, human rights and well-being. She oversees the holistic well-being of all the participants involved. .
Nico lives in London, but is from La Plata in Argentina. Nico works closely with Estudiantes de La Plata to help run the project here, and also runs the social media accounts for Estudiantes London.
Claudio is a Spanish coach with a UEFA Pro Licence. He has experience working in India, China and England with the Premier League Watford FC team. Claudio worked with Darren in India and has a passion for promoting football globally. He is looking for opportunities for the young people of the club.
Vishnu has a masters in International Political Economy from London School of Ecomomics. He is works as a Senior Program Manager for the Centre of Effective Governance of Indian States. He has a passion for football, and will chair meetings for the organisation, adding his experience to bring a clear direction to our work.
Fabio is now part of the International Futsal Academy at Loughborough where he studies sport coaching. A talented futsal and football player, Fabio was the captain of the club last season when he led the team brilliant, securing a move to Loughborough that is considered the best University futsal program in England.
We work with participants to help them gain GCSEs in Maths and English. Students who attend additional study sessions are given access to coaching from UEFA qualified coaches
If you are retaking your GCSEs and would like some help to pass, please contact us by clicking the link below.
Additionally if you would like to mentor some young people and assist them in gaining these vital qualifications.
We provide our participants with the chance to take FA Qualifications including Level 1 in Football Coaching, Level 1 in Futsal Coaching and Level 7 in Futsal Refereeing
This year we plan increase the range of training we offer participants, including Sports Analysis and Leadership qualifications
Gaining these qualifications gives the participants the chance to gain employment, as well as giving them the chance to gain confidence, develop leadership skills and create professional networks across London.
Thanks to a grant from the Football Foundation, and support from the London FA and Haringey 6th Form College, we have been able to create the North London Youth Futsal League. This gave our own participants the chance to gain officiating and coaching experience, as well as witness some of the best u16 Futsal teams in England. Kent United, Braintree, Finta Futsal, Genesis, CM Futsal, ProFutsal and Oxford City produced some breath-taking futsal,
For the next version, at u13 level we will focus on providing futsal to young people in Haringey, with a view to improving education outcomes of young people in the area.
Participant Numbers:
202 have taken part in coaching sessions, of which 54 have taken part more than 5 times in 2020.
72 have played in matches
31 have taken qualifications with the London FA.
36 have played in the National Futsal League,
12 have competed in the FA Cup.
55 have competed in the North London Youth Futsal League.
Impact and Achievements
College attendance of participants has risen 17% to 94.4%.
100%of participants go onto full time employment or University.
34 participants have taken Level 1 in Football Coaching.
7 have taken Level 1 in Futsal Coaching.
5 have qualified as Level 7 futsal referees, all of whom have since refereed at the North London Youth Futsal League.
We are recognised by the FA as a Charter Standard Club
Established a Senior Futsal Club that competes in the National Futsal League and FA Cup. Established a Senior Football Club that competes in the Middlesex County League
Provided opportunities for our participants to play for the best futsal teams in England.
12 students have joined local amateur and semi-professional football teams.
Events and Courses hosted
The North London Youth Futsal u16 League, widely regarded as the best youth league in England
London FA Futsal Referees Course,
London FA Level 1 in Football Coaching,
London FA Level 1 in Futsal Coaching.
Other opportunities (courses and qualifications) have resulted from approaching organisations such as Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, London FA, Amateur FA, Fusion Lifestyle, Haringey Council and The National Futsal League.