Camden partners with Adidas, Arsenal and Kentish Town DMC to revamp Peckwater Estate sports pitch as part of No More Red
A sports pitch is set to be refurbished following funding from adidas, Arsenal and the local District Management Committee (DMC), providing a safe space for the local community to get together and get active, as part of Arsenal and adidas’ No More Red campaign.
Camden Council has partnered up with Adidas, Arsenal and the Kentish Town District Management Committee (DMC) to resurface and refresh the sports pitch at the Peckwater Estate, providing local residents with a safe space to play football and other sports.
This marks the first sports pitch Arsenal and adidas will refurbish in Camden, and the fourth in north London as part of No More Red, which was first launched in 2022 to support and build on 40 years of Arsenal in the Community’s work. These renovated pitches provide fantastic sports opportunities for young people and help to keep young people safe from the potential risks of knife crime and youth violence.
The sports pitch is a vital space for the community and while it is safe to use, various works are required to improve the condition of the pitch.
Funding has been provided by Adidas, Arsenal and the local DMC to resurface the pitch, install new goal posts, improve lighting and more, allowing the local community to make full use of the pitch once again.
As well as the revamp of the pitch, football sessions run by Arsenal in the Community will resume, providing weekly training for children and young people on and near the estate. This will take place alongside other activities currently carried out by partners including the NW5 Project, who run regular sports and wellbeing sessions for people of all ages.
Arsenal recently published their first economic and social impact report, which showed the club delivers 140,000 hours of community activity every season, reaching 5,000 people a week and brings to life the ways in which the club works with partners to instil a sense of belonging and drive progress in local communities and beyond, as it celebrates it’s 40th anniversary this year.
We are delighted to be working in partnership with Arsenal in the Community and the local District Management Committee (DMC), who are providing vital funding to refresh this sports pitch – this will make a huge difference for the local community.
This past decade has been a difficult time for local councils and we couldn’t carry out this work without their generous help and support.
We’re proud to be home to many Arsenal fans – and this investment will help bring the community together and hopefully nurture the talent of players in the future.
We’re on a mission alongside our partners and communities to make sure all young people have access to opportunities that help them be safe and lead active lives.
On the Peckwater Estate, we’ve come together with residents and partners – including Arsenal in the Community and the local DMC – to help us achieve these goals that are important to all of us.
A big thank you to Arsenal in the Community and the local DMC, as well as to the NW5 project for all their ongoing incredible work for children and young people in the community.
This is wonderful news for the Peckwater Estate and local community. Refurbishing the pitch will allow children and young people to make full use of the pitch once again, providing a wide range of activities to improve health, wellbeing and community connectiveness.
This work is part of our shared mission with residents and partners to help ensure the Peckwater Estate is a safe and healthy place that brings residents together and provides a wealth of opportunities for local people, and we are committed to driving this work forward across all of our estates.
Freddie Hudson, Head of Arsenal in the Community said:
“We’re proud that our partnership with adidas has resulted in a fourth pitch being refurbished in north London, working alongside Camden Council for the first time as part of No More Red.
“Creating a sense of belonging in young people is at the centre of how we work to drive social outcomes in our communities. Spaces like this are essential creating a safe environment for young people to connect with each other, as well as a strong support network and trusted role models within the community.
“As we celebrate Arsenal in the Community’s 40th anniversary this year, creating a sense of belonging remains as important as ever to our commitment to driving positive social change.”
Jane McWilliams, Chair of the Kentish Town DMC said:
“With the long-awaited development of the outside space for the Peckwater Estate, there is a renewed hope and rejuvenation for the youth of the area and extending beyond. The country faces a housing crisis and it’s crucial that the council collaborates with residents and community groups to provide good outdoor space. This can help alleviate the pressure of overcrowding for young people going through the education system and all the pressures that entails and have a positive impact on physical and mental wellbeing. It’s imperative that DMCs continue to provide funding for such wonderful and much needed projects such as this one and we fully support the regeneration of this area.”
Sharley Newitt, Project Manager at the NW5 project said:
“The collaboration between Camden, Arsenal, NW5, and the local community to refurbish the sports pitch is a powerful example of how partnerships can drive positive change. For residents, especially children and young people, it’s more than just a place to play. It’s a safe, inclusive space where skills are developed, friendships are formed, and community pride grows. This project provides a vital hub for all ages to come together, engage in healthy activities, and build a stronger sense of belonging. For young people, the modern, well-maintained pitch offers more opportunities for team sports, confidence-building, and learning valuable life skills like teamwork and resilience. NW5 is thrilled to see this project come to life, knowing it will inspire and uplift generations to come."
Works are due to be complete before the summer so that children and young people can make full use of the pitch before the school holidays. Football and other sports and activities are also due to resume during the summer school holidays and beyond.