Wolves Foundation hosted this year’s graduation event for participants on the ‘Strike A Change’ programme delivered in partnership with the Cyrille Regis Legacy Trust, which encourages young people to believe in themselves and their potential.
Former promotion-winning Wolves captain and Foundation ambassador Karl Henry was the special guest for the event at the club’s training ground at Compton Park, which also featured a series of skills sessions followed by a tournament.
A total of between 70 and 80 youngsters from schools associated with the six West Midlands club community organisations follow the year-long programme of mentoring and football-based activities, with each club hosting a session.
The programme helps offer a different and exciting pathway to young people who may be enduring challenges at home, school, or in their local community, and helps to raise increase their self-esteem and raise aspirations.
The Trust was set up by Julia Regis, Cyrille’s widow, to help continue the mentoring work which he enjoyed so much before his passing in 2018, and in tribute to his steadfast belief in supporting young people facing a bleak future and disengaged from mainstream society.
“This is the sixth year of our Strike a Change mentoring programme, and we’re incredibly proud of the lasting impact it’s having in Cyrille’s memory,” said Julia.
“Our partnership with the six West Midlands club foundations has continued to grow stronger and the overwhelmingly positive feedback this year is a powerful reminder of how important this work is for young people across the region.”
The graduation day at the Compton Park training ground included a Q&A presentation with former Wolves’ skipper Karl, who spoke about how the breaking down of barriers by pioneers such as Cyrille, particularly in overcoming racism and discrimination during their careers, helped pave the way for the next generations of black players to thrive.
Karl also spoke about the challenges and obstacles faced in his own career, as well as his own powerful ambition to help be a pioneer in the future via his own coaching and managerial aspirations.
“Partnering with the Strike A Change programme run by the Cyrille Regis Legacy Trust is really beneficial for Wolves Foundation, as well as encouraging collaboration with the other community organisations across the West Midlands,” says Kurran Kullar, youth engagement manager with the Foundation.
“For our young people to learn about breaking down barriers and obstacles which affect their everyday lives is really important, and has a really positive impact on their development.
“We were delighted to host the final event for the class of 2024/25, which went really well, and are looking forward to being involved in the programme again over the coming year.”
Students from Highfields School represented the Foundation on this year’s programme, and actually ran out winners in the tournament which brought the cohort to an end.
“It’s been a really good year, being able to go to such top class facilities at the different clubs, and take part in workshops and play football,” said Elliott, one of the students.
“Learning about Cyrille Regis and the impact he had on football has also been really important, and we have taken away some valuable information.”
During his career, Cyrille played for Wolves, Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City, and those organisations are joined by Birmingham City and Walsall on Strike A Change.
