No More Red to help refurbish pitch in Camden

In partnership with adidas and Arsenal, Camden Council, the local District Management Committee (DMC) are set to refurbish a community football pitch in Peckwater Estate, as part of our No More Red campaign.  

The refurbishment will see a resurfacing of the pitch, new goalposts installed, and improved lighting, creating a safe space for the local community to play football and connect.  

This marks the first sports pitch ourselves and adidas will refurbish in Camden, and the fourth in north London as part of No More Red, which was first launched in 2022 to support and build on 40 years of Arsenal in the Community’s work to help keep young people safe from knife crime and youth violence. It follows pitches refurbished in the Mayville, Harvist and King Square Estates in Islington.

Weekly football sessions will also be delivered by Arsenal in the Community, providing weekly training for local children and young people, providing safe spaces and access to trusted role models for young people.

We recently published our first economic and social impact report, which showed we deliiver 140,000 hours of community activity every season, reaching 5,000 people a week and bringing to life the ways in which we work with partners to instil a sense of belonging and drive progress in local communities and beyond.

These sessions will take place alongside other activities currently carried out by partners, including the NW5 Project, who run regular sports and wellbeing sessions for people of all ages.  

Councillor Richard Olszewski, Leader of Camden Council, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Arsenal and the local District Management Committee (DMC), who are providing vital funding to refresh this sports pitch – this will make a huge difference for the local community. We’re proud to be home to many Arsenal supporters – and this investment will help bring the community together and hopefully nurture the talent of players in the future.”  

Freddie Hudson, Head of Arsenal in the Community, said: “We’re proud that our partnership with adidas has resulted in a fourth pitch being refurbished in north London, working alongside Camden Council for the first time as part of No More Red.  

“Creating a sense of belonging in young people is at the centre of how we work to drive social outcomes in our communities. Spaces like this are essential creating a safe environment for young people to connect with each other, as well as a strong support network and trusted role models within the community.  

“As we celebrate Arsenal in the Community’s 40th anniversary this year, creating a sense of belonging remains as important as ever to our commitment to driving positive social change.”  

Works are due to be complete before the summer so that children and young people can make full use of the pitch before the school holidays. Football and other sports and activities are also due to resume during the summer school holidays and beyond.