May 1, 2023

Footy tournament nets £3,000 to help Newcastle United Foundation reach its true potential

The Newcastle United Foundation has received a £3,000 boost after a charity football tournament achieved its goal of supporting young people and their education.

The tournament was organised by Harrison Foundation business partner, True Potential – a fast-growing financial technology business that employs 450 people based in Newcastle.

Ten teams took part in the morning of fun but competitive five a side games, in what has been named the inaugural True Potential Cup.

All participating players made individual donations, which have been match funded by True Potential, raising over £3,000 in total.

The Harrison Foundation and True Potential have a long-standing partnership with the Newcastle United Foundation, dating back to 2017. Last year, the Harrison Foundation deepened its partnership by creating one of its flagship Harrison Centres for Social Mobility specialising in digital skills at the Newcastle United Foundation’s brand-new building, a stone’s throw from St James’s Park.

As well as the digital and tech skills taught to learners aged 16 and over at the Harrison Centre Newcastle, they also have the opportunity to gain real life work experience in the financial technology sector at True Potential.

Harrison Foundation trustee and True Potential Chief Executive, Daniel Harrison, said: “Sport is a fantastic way to build team spirit and camaraderie within a business but as the Harrison Centre at the Newcastle United Foundation has shown, it’s also a great way to learn new skills off the pitch.

“The inaugural True Potential Cup was of course a lot of fun, but it had the serious element of raising over £3,000 that will support the Newcastle United Foundation in its work to provide education and pathways into work for young people across the North East.”

Steve Beharall, Newcastle United Foundation CEO, said: “We are thrilled that the inaugural True Potential Cup has been a huge success and we are humbled to receive this fantastic donation to create brighter futures for the region’s young people.

“Our partnership with the Harrison Foundation is crucial to our NU Futures offer for teenagers and young adults transitioning from education into careers and training – particularly in the STEM sector.

“We are grateful for the continued support from both the Harrison Foundation and True Potential that allows us to continue to provide meaningful opportunities that inspire and engage the next generation.”