Did you know we have our own football club?

Greenwich FC training

Greenwich FC started 10 years ago, after service users and therapists thought it would be good for their wellbeing.

The club now train every Monday afternoon, led by two members of our mental health staff Hamid Ghazzali and Daniel Price.

Hamid said: “The training sessions are open to everyone regardless of gender, ethnicity or age and give a great opportunity to improve physical health, which is a huge focus within mental health.

“Aside from improving physical health, we teach social interaction and integration skills, learn the value of team work and enjoy talking to service users in various stages in their recovery.

“I have seen great support amongst the team, offering advice with staying positive, drug-free and the importance of sticking with medication.”

A service user and player said: “Football is not just a game; it helps with social inclusion, integration in the community, and keeping fit.”

Hamid added: “Greenwich FC is a not-for-profit team. We rely on fundraising, donations and players’ subs to be able to stay within the leagues and buy vital training equipment which we only just manage to do every year.”

Successes through recent years include:

  • 2009 Division 1 runner-up
  • 2010 Oxleas Trust League
  • 2011 Charlton football tournament
  • 2010 grass roots league
  • 2011 grass roots league
  • 2012 Oxleas trust league
  • 2012 Division 1 runner-up
  • 2013 Division 1 runner-up

Watch the team training and hear from Hamid in the video below.

Published on 1st September 2016