Around 50 members of Newark Youth London attended its annual awards evening at Lifra Hall in Stepney, on 17 March to celebrate top goal scorer, most improved player, manager and player of the year, among other things. There was also a fashion show and a small presentation on the history of Newark Youth London.

Guests included Tower Hamlets councillors and funding partners such as Genesis Community which has supported Newark Youth London for over a year and sponsored the football team's tracksuits.

Newark Youth London was formed in 1984 by a group of young people aged between nine and12 years old. This group congregated at the old London Hospital Car Park in Newark Street, and played football.

What started as a casually-run football team now has over 100 members. It also now offers educational, social and other recreational activities for young people.

Iain Mackechnie-Jarvis, Head of Genesis Community, said "The evening was a great success, demonstrating what can be achieved when young people work together in this way. Genesis Community is very proud to have sponsored Newark Youth London's tracksuits, which were unveiled in a fashion show. It provides the young people with a very smart official outfit to travel around with."

Kamrul Islam, Secretary at Newark Youth London, said, "This wide programme of sports and other activities has provided many opportunities for young people in Tower Hamlets to develop their personal, social, physical and educational potential. We are delighted with the progress that has been made by Newark Youth London since its formation in 1984."

- Ends -

For images or further information about Genesis Housing Group please contact:

Diana Evanson 020 8150 4178, email diana.evans@ghg.org.uk

Notes to Editors

Genesis Housing Group provides homes and services to tens of thousands of people across London and the south east. The Group consists of PCHA, Pathmeads and Springboard housing associations. It is one of the largest and most successful housing groups in the UK, owning and/or managing more than 40,000 homes. Its overriding aim is to put customers first and to provide excellent service to all.

Seven million people in the UK have literacy problems and 3.5 million people with dyslexia, 8.6 million registered disabled people. Installing Browsealoud for your website greatly increases the number of people who can access the content on your site.

Genesis Community was set up in 2005 by Genesis Housing Group. It is a charitable foundation created to fulfil Genesis Housing Group's commitments to address the challenges of deprivation and social exclusion in disadvantaged areas. Projects delivered by Genesis Community focus on the key themes of young people, vulnerable and elderly people, safer communities, financial inclusion and training and employment.

With over 50 projects running in over 15 boroughs across London and the south east, Genesis Community has built a reputation as an exceptional project partner and as an innovative provider of community initiatives.

Newark Youth London's mission is to develop the skills, capacities and capabilities of young people to enable them to participate in society as independent, mature and responsible individuals; to advance education and relieve unemployment; to provide recreational and leisure time activities to improve conditions of life; to act as resource and point of contact for young people; to provide advice and assistance; and to organise programmes of physical, educational and other activities. The volunteers at Newark Youth London act as role models for the younger members of the organisation.