Spurs boost local education

UEFA Cup contenders Tottenham Hotspur FC have launched a state-of-the-art educational facility aimed at helping children in the local community learn IT skills and get access to cutting-edge equipment.

Keane opening
Based at the English club's White Hart Lane stadium, the Spurs Learning Zone was officially opened on 1 November by striker Robbie Keane alongside the mayor of the London borough of Haringey, Cllr Sheik G L Thomson. Hosting daily classes for up to 30 children, the suite gives them access to information and communication technology equipment, digital editing facilities and podcasting technology.

'Amazing facility'
"The facility here is amazing and very high tech," said Keane. "We didn't have anything like this when I was at school and I can see that the children are really going to enjoy coming here. As a player I am always proud and keen to support the work the club does in using the game we play to inspire more and more young local people."

Education programmes
The scheme was set up by the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, a charitable body inaugurated in January thanks to €6.4m funding from the club. The charity's education manager, Anna Rimington, said: "The Learning Zone will allow the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation to run top quality education programmes that will include literacy intervention, inclusion projects for children with special needs, and personalised schemes targeted at Year 6 [ten and eleven-year-old] students. I strongly believe that these programmes will have a very positive impact on the life chances of young people in the local community and along with the teachers and mentors, we're looking forward to delivering them."

'Impressive initiatives'
The British government's shadow minister for sport and the Olympics, Hugh Robertson, said: "This outstanding facility, located within such an iconic stadium, can only serve as inspiration for young people who can benefit from the many schemes offered by the Spurs Learning Zone. The Tottenham Hotspur Foundation also has an impressive range of initiatives in community development and an outstanding disability programme. In terms of the 2012 agenda, Spurs can play a major role in getting more people, both young and old, able-bodied or disabled, playing sport in the community."