The CATS project is the British Council in Nigeria’s youth development programme which uses the national passion for football to engage young people in a range of education and training opportunities, from leadership to vocational skills, computer to peer health training, and, of course, plenty of soccer.  

CATS takes part in “Dreams + Teams”, working in partnership with Youth Sports Trust (UK) and aims at developing young citizens through sports and international educational links: the Project is also part of the “Connecting Futures” initiative which builds mutual understanding and respect between young people from different cultural backgrounds.

Much more than a football academy CATS (Community Action Through Sports) has gained more than its fair share of cups and medals on the pitch since it began in Lagos four years ago. The Project was also launched in Port Harcourt (Eastern Nigeria) and Kano (in the North) in 2004 and has used this new regional structure to increase opportunities for peer education and mentoring.
Young people have travelled between the three states, comparing and contrasting their different experiences and working together to develop community campaigns on issues such as cultism, examinations malpractice, drug abuse, HIV/AIDS and conflict resolution.  

Despite drawing its 320 members from the poorer sectors of Nigerian society, the CATS project has been successful in its attempts to harness the power of sport to motivate the young people’s interest in a wide range of educational opportunities. Practical subjects such as catering, hairdressing and tailoring have been taught in line with City and Guilds syllabus and this summer, six of our older students took and passed City and Guilds exams. We had particular success in IT with John Victor Thom-Manuel passing the exam with distinction. More are looking forward to registering next year and are keen to learn skills which may enhance their employment chances in the future. Current plans to extend this vocational training will include the development of basic accounting skills and setting up of micro-businesses.

The learning opportunities afforded through CATS leadership and citizenship training have been immense. Project members have organised soccer skills festivals for primary school children across the country while in Lagos young leaders have run entire leagues and tournaments with great success and only minimal adult support. The benefits these young people have gained through this experience of organisation is very apparent to visitors to CATS, who have all commented on their high self-esteem and confidence. These visitors have included HRH Prince Philip, Baroness Helena Kennedy, English Football Association representatives and Youth Sports Trust delegations.

CATS is uniquely placed to provide opportunities for young people’s formal and informal education using sport as the motivator for their involvement. On and off the pitch, the Project members are scoring goals in a wide range of arenas, reaching real, dynamic educational targets and enhancing the potential of themselves, their communities and country.

For more information on this project, please contact:

Project Manager CATS
British Council
20 Thompson Avenue, Ikoyi
Lagos