'A' TEAM EXETER 

Team Captain: Ali Lyon

We are thrilled to be taking part in the Ace Africa Universities Football Tournament 2021! Aside from taking our chances at walking home with the winning trophy we are more importantly raising vital funds for a very important cause – Ace Africa.

Our team captain, Ali, was involved in setting up their first ever football league for vulnerable children living in the most rural parts of Tanzania back in 2014. Seven years on this incredible initiative has helped to change the lives of over xx children across almost 100 schools. It has also been commended by the Tanzanian government for its role in encouraging girls to play sport. 

Whilst Ace work across many community driven projects in Kenya and Tanzania, we are specifically focused on raising money for the creation of more football leagues. These are schools that are little more than a few huts in the middle of the bush; our funding can provide them with kits, boots, equipment, opportunities to partner with local academies, professional coaching, buses for the away days etc. On top of all this, Ace Africa also provide child protection services throughout the league. As sadly in this part of the world girls and boys are exposed to daily challenges such as rape, early marriage and FGM. 

We are sure that we speak for many in this group when we say competitive sport really was one of the highlights of our young lives, and giving these kids the opportunity to experience this really does create unparalleled joy (See photos above!). 

If you are particularly interested in getting to know more about Ace, its football programme or wider work (www.ace-africa.org), please do feel free to get in contact with our contact at Ace UK – Liv Jarman for more information olivia.jarman@ace-africa.org. 

100% of the proceeds on this page will be directed to Ace Africa, and with thanks to Tom Pearson the winning fundraisers will enjoy a lunch at Notting Hill’s Casa Cruz – so please do give generously!!