The partnership brings together two organisations with a shared belief: sport has the power to develop far more than great players – it can build confidence, character, resilience and create opportunities that last long after the final whistle.

This belief sits at the heart of the CTRL CUP. Alongside elite competition, players will experience a week of performance workshops, industry insights and personal development sessions delivered by leading organisations across football, education and sports business. 

More than a football tournament

The CTRL Cup has been designed as the ultimate pre-season experience for ambitious teams. Players will compete in a World Cup-style tournament while benefiting from world-class facilities, performance analysis, leadership workshops and career-focused learning. 

We believe sport remains one of the most powerful environments for helping young people develop the qualities that matter most in life: confidence, resilience, leadership and self-belief. It is the shared commitment to this belief that makes Kinetic Foundation’s involvement in the CTRL Cup especially meaningful. 

About Kinetic Foundation

The Kinetic Foundation is an innovative London-based football and education charity which helps young people from underserved backgrounds to stay in education through their passion for football.

It empowers young people to successfully transition into employment, training, university, or the professional game, resulting in increased workforce participation, reduced social inequalities, and greater opportunities for lifelong success.

Through its Kinetic Academy and Kinetic Futures programmes, the charity combines elite football coaching with education, mentoring, employability training and personal development, helping young people successfully progress into university, employment, further training or the professional game. 

The impact of that work is remarkable:

• 12,250+ young people supported 
• 97% of graduates progress into employment, university or further training 
• 9 in 10 students report increased motivation during their programme 
• Young people are 76% less likely to become NEET (not in education, employment or training) than the London average 
• 84 players have progressed into professional football clubs 

These numbers tell only part of the story. Every programme is designed to give young people the confidence, support network and opportunities to fulfil their potential, whatever pathway they choose.

A shared philosophy

Huddle exists to create environments where young people are challenged, supported and encouraged to grow on and off the field. Kinetic Foundation shares that philosophy.

Both organisations recognise that success in football isn’t measured solely by results or contracts. It’s about preparing young people to thrive as teammates, leaders, students and future professionals.

Throughout the CTRL CUP, players will experience elite competition alongside workshops covering talent identification, psychology, performance analysis, communication and career development, reinforcing the event’s commitment to developing the whole person. 

Kyle Bernard, Head of Football at the Kinetic Foundation, commented: 

“We are delighted to be invited to take part in the CTRL Cup. The tournament will embody exactly what Kinetic aims to offer to the young people through our programmes: high level football combined with off-pitch skills building to empower them to strive for future success.

“We are committed to expanding young peoples’ horizons beyond the pitch, and taking part in the CTRL Cup will provide us with an invaluable opportunity to do so. We look forward to the tournament and the whole experience that comes with it!”

Football as a force for opportunity

We’re delighted to have the Kinetic Foundation taking part in this year’s event. Having the Foundation involved adds another dimension to the event and it reminds every player that football has the power to open doors, create connections and change lives.

We hope all players taking part will see first-hand how the game can be used as a platform for education, personal development and is ripe with opportunity.

Developing the next generation isn’t just about producing better footballers. It’s about helping young people become confident, capable people who are ready for the next step – on or off the pitch.

We’re excited to welcome Kinetic Foundation to the CTRL Cup and look forward to working together to inspire the next generation of players.