Prince William takes part in a penalty shoot-out (Image: Getty)
The Prince of Wales celebrated scoring a penalty as he learned how a local organisation is using football to help foster health and wellbeing, reduce isolation, and strengthen social connections for thousands of local people in Edinburgh. William couldn’t resist joining in football drills as he visited Leigh Community Centre on Wednesday afternoon, where he was treated to flamenco dancing and heard how young people have been enacting change in their local area.
The prince also enjoyed looking at the art produced by local pensioners, and spent 10 minutes chatting to the artists and marvelling over their work. His visit to Leith, one of the most densely populated areas in the UK, coincided with the launch of a new partnership between the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales and Street Soccer Scotland.
The coalition aims to use the power of football to support people experiencing issues such as poor mental health, addiction, homelessness and isolation, fostering a sense of belonging for the most vulnerable in the Leith community. The Royal Foundation has provided funding to help support the organisation to revitalise the existing community centre and create a new blueprint for sustainable social impact.
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Upon arrival at Leigh Community Centre, a ward in Edinburgh, he was met by David Duke, the Founder and CEO of Street Soccer Scotland, before heading into the sports hall to find out more about what the non-profit has to offer.
He heard how the organisation has delivered free football-themed training and personal development programmes for socially disadvantaged adults and young people across Scotland since 2009.
The prince burst out laughing when one of the women involved showed him a picture of her dressed as the Hanlon Stevenson mascot, Persy, for charity events, before getting involved with the football drills behind him.
He needed no encouragement to give a penalty shoot-out a go, though he was disappointed when the goalie saved his first shot.
But William managed to kick the ball into the net on his second attempt, prompting loud cheers. He turned to the team behind him and said “that’s it, I’m done now,” as he held up his hands to concede.
The prince then stopped to chat with some of the Street Soccer football coaches and players, some of whom have experienced homelessness, and heard how the new partnership will benefit socially disadvantaged adults and young people in the Leith area.
The Prince of Wales, known as the Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland, plays football (Image: PA)
In another large room, William observed a group of flamenco dancers, artists and a group performing Kung Fu.
It is hoped that the cash injection from the Foundation will allow the centre to expand activities such as these that are already on offer.
William spent almost 10 minutes chatting to a group of painters and exclaimed, “Wow, look at this.”
Turning to David Martin, 76, he said: “No, this is something you made earlier. You didn’t paint that. It’s brilliant. You’re a professional artist.” He then spoke to David’s wife, Eileen, who showed the prince her landscapes.
“It’s brilliant, you capture the sky fantastically. I love landscapes, there is so much more colour and movement in them. I’m very impressed.”
William then chatted extensively to Gay Ellvers about her portraits. Picking one up to take a closer look, he said: “You should be selling these guys, these are incredible. You’re so talented.”
Prince William was very impressed by the art work (Image: PA)
Asking how long it took Gay to paint one of them, he was completely taken aback when she told him “about a week”. “No way,” he replied. “I’m blown away.”
Speaking afterwards, David said he only joined the group a year ago but loves coming. Asked what it was like to meet the prince he said: “Absolutely magic, he is so casual. Just a cool guy.”
The penultimate stop on his tour of the community centre was to meet a group from Edinburgh YMCA’s Youth Forum, hosted by CEO Mike Kerracher.
He was introduced to Erin, nine, and Shaniah, 10, who told him that they held a Youth Forum at Edinburgh City Council Chambers to discuss their concerns about the block of flats where they live.
Shaniah told the prince that they had told the council that they were too frightened to use the lifts, had mould in their homes and were kept awake by antisocial behaviour.
“Did you have to speak in front of people?” William asked her.
She told him yes and he replied: “Wow, it’s not easy standing up and speaking. It takes a lot of courage, well done.”
Prince William receives an Aston Villa artwork from some children (Image: Getty Images)
William told the two youngsters to keep it up. “If you guys keep raising it then they can’t ignore it,” he said.
Before he left Shaniah presented him with an Aston Villa poster that she had made. “Wow, thank you,” he said, asking them which teams they support.
When Erin said she supports two teams, William said that his son, Prince Louis, seven, is also undecided on which team he backs.
“My youngest at the moment says he supports five different football teams,” he said.
The new partnership announced today will see local partners, such as Leith Community Centre and YMCA Edinburgh, come together to create ‘Leith United’.
It forms part of the Foundation’s Community Impact Programme, which aims to provide lasting impact and legacy in the communities that Kate and William visit.
“The Prince and Princess of Wales feel strongly that they want to leave a lasting impact and legacy in the communities that they visit,” a Kensington Palace spokesperson said.
It marks the second initiative that the Royal Foundation Community Impact project has unveiled this year, after two grants to help transform community spaces were unveiled during the Prince and Princess’ two-day visit to the Isle of Mull last month.
The spokesperson added: “He [William} really believes strongly in communities coming together and the project that David has created with Street Soccer is engaging incredible young people from across different communities and bringing them together.”
David said: “Working with The Royal Foundation provides a unique opportunity to champion and further vital work supporting the community in Leith. Community spaces are needed now more than ever and can be a lifeline for people of all ages.
“‘Leith United’ will offer a space where local people can belong, build friendships, access services and feel part of the area where they live.”
