Inspiring North Paddington coach picks up awards

The coach was also named the ITV London Feelgood Factor winner, part of the Daily Mirror's Pride of Britain Awards 2009.

Samba started with just a few youngsters in 2005, but now more than 100 young people from the estate and Westminster Academy, in Harrow Road, are members of the club, training four days a week.

Mr Amers-Morrison, whose own career as a footballer was sadly cut short by injury, said: "I'm ecstatic to have won these awards.

"We have worked so hard to try and build a reputation of doing good things for young people, and now it has been fruitful.

"None of the kids are from what you might call regular households. I've got kids who have been banned from youth centres, ones with health issues, you name it.

"We're doing something where they don't want to go out and smash a window, steal a bag or do drugs.
"From the minute the Samba club started, things changes. Now weeks go by without the police coming."

Samba Street Soccer is based on futsal, a Brazilian form of football which concentrates on ball skills such as shooting, passing and dribbling.

Some of the club's members have now even been given trials at football clubs such as Inter Milan and Chelsea.

Mr Amers-Morrison said: "Brazilian players and South American players are the most sought-after on the planet today.

"Every club in the country wants a Brazilian player in their team, so by teaching the young people these skills, we may hopefully end up with the next Pelé or Maradona."

The coach was presented his GG2 award last Tuesday evening in front of 1,000 guests at the Grosvenor House Hotel, including former prime minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie.

He was given the Feelgood Factor award last Friday, and now goes on to join nine other regional finalists on October 7, when the overall national winner will be announced.