London Roots: How Casual Ballerz Became a Lifeline, Not Just a Team

Before the Bay Area, before private sessions, before semi-pro leagues and funding bids – there was just a group of young people in London who needed somewhere to be.

Just an environment that said:

“You’re welcome here. But you will be challenged.”

Casual Ballerz started as a local project for young adults who’d fallen between the cracks of academy systems, college pathways and full-time work. The football was serious, but the mission was deeper: to teach Respect, Effort, Leadership, Self-Direction, Self-Discipline, Contribution and Transference through the TPSR model.

Over time, word spread. Younger brothers turned up. Friends came along. Parents started noticing that their sons were coming home more focused, less angry, more driven. Local schools heard about our work. We became more than a team – we became a constant in a world where so much for young people is temporary.

But the last three years have not been easy.

With our Director based in the US developing the model globally, London has had to hold itself together with volunteers, young coaches in development, and limited paid hours.

We’re applying for multi-year funding to bring in full-time staff to lead:

• Youth development on the ground

• Operations and programme coordination

• Media and storytelling that actually shows what’s happening

We don’t hide the reality: we’re not where we want to be – yet. But the foundations are still strong:

the culture, the values, and the belief that young people in London deserve somewhere that pushes them to be better in football and in life.

This isn’t a comeback story.

It’s the next chapter of a movement that never stopped.