A Cyrille Regis Legacy Trust project, ‘Strike a Change’, has been recognised by the United by Birmingham 2022 Community Programme.
The decision to feature the Trust’s signature Strike A Change mentoring programme for young people as part of United by Birmingham 2022, means recognition for this project and an opportunity to raise its profile ahead of the Games.
Strike A Change is run in collaboration with six West Midlands football club community foundations. The Trust and its partners at West Bromwich Albion, Coventry City, Aston Villa, Wolves, Walsall and Birmingham City will now set about the task of devising fresh elements to the project.
Cyrille’s wife and the Trust chairperson, Julia Regis, explained: “For a project that we have developed in Cyrille’s memory to be part of the Games’ community programme is overwhelming and exciting.
“He would be so very proud of all our students and equally excited for the experience they will have.”
Cyrille’s brother and former Notts County and Stoke footballer said “It’s an honour to be named a recognised project, especially in a city that Cyrille made his home. I believe in the power of sport to excite, inspire and unite people across all backgrounds and borders”.
The United by Birmingham 2022 team welcomed Strike A Change on board after acknowledging that it was aligned to two key elements of the mission for the Games:
- Bringing people together: These Games will embrace and champion the youth, diversity, humanity and pride of the region and the Commonwealth.
- Improving health and wellbeing: Inspire, engage and connect communities and athletes to realise their full potential and live happier, healthier lives.
Julia added: “We very much look forward to contributing to connecting with our community further and being an agent of change. Our young people will be so excited to have the opportunity to play an active part in this historic event.”
