New Goals in life provide a kickstart for Carlos and company

Carlos Salvador Joao sounds as if he should be playing for Brazil rather than Colney Heath in the lower reaches of the Spartan South Midlands League. Yet his is a success story of which English football can be proud, one of several to emerge from a relatively unsung project in west London which, just before Christmas, saw Sven Goran Eriksson playing a surprise Santa Claus to present diplomas to disadvantaged youths who are using the game as a springboard to a better life.

The 19-year-old, Angola-born Joao is one of the star graduates of Goals, a unique scheme run in collaboration with Queen's Park Rangers which over the past 18 months has rescued a clutch of unemployed kids from kicking their heels and opened up fresh opportunities by kicking a ball. More importantly, it has taught them how to play the game, not just on the field, but off it by utilising football as a common denominator.

Joao's story may not be quite typical because unlike the majority who are recruited for the programme he has never been destitute, homeless or a bad lad. But, living on an estate in Harlesden, he was unable to find work and was recommended to Goals by a local youth organisation. He admits it has changed his life. "The great thing about it is that it gives you something you never expected to do," he says.

In his case it was not only to play football regularly but to obtain a coaching badge which has given him part-time employment with QPR's Football in the Community Scheme, teaching the game at half a dozen local primary schools; and taking a University course on sports psychology. He has also spent three weeks in Rome acting as a body double for Arsenal's Sylvain Wiltord in a Nike commercial.

"Although I've played football all my life my parents never encouraged me to pursue it as a career when I left school, wanting me to concentrate on an education. But now it is football that has helped me gain the confidence to do things I never thought possible." That was the message he delivered on behalf of the Class of 2002 who received their certificates from Eriksson at the Football Association's offices. "Carlos has been a real inspiration to the rest of the kids in a scheme that represents everything we believe in about using football as a means for good," says the FA's Jonathan Arana.

Goals is run from QPR's Loftus Road stadium in collaboration with the First Division club and with the backing of the FA by Park Royal Partnership, a regeneration agency with links to local authority, business and youth organisations. "The idea is to provide jobs and life skills through football," explains Bill Feeney, the project co-ordinator. "We seek out disadvantaged youths aged 18 to 24, almost all of whom are unemployed, homeless, or have been excluded from school.

"We recruit from housing estates, visit employment services, hand out leaflets at youth clubs and take referrals from probation officers and young offenders' organisations. There are six courses run through the year for groups, which includes professional football coaching from QPR. Over six weeks we try to give them some practical means of obtaining employment possibly in the football industry, though not necessarily. All dream of becoming professional footballers and while this is not realistic, there are openings in marketing, ticketing and on the ground staff of clubs."

Feeney says the toughest part is recruiting. "You are dealing with a group who are unmotivated and wary of outsiders. For them, long-term planning usually means getting up at 11 and wondering what to do until Eastenders is on at eight o'clock.

"We normally interview three times as many participants as will normally show up on the first day, but once they do get under way, the drop-out rate isn't that high." The recruits do not receive a bursary as such, but they are provided with travel cards, packed lunches and equipment through the £160,000 annual funding from the London Development Agency, and various sponsors. Feeney himself is an American who was brought up in Brazil, hence his passion for football. "We also try to instil some social skills, teach them how to fill in application forms and construct CVs but the whole thing is built around football, even if it just debating the previous night's TV match.

So far none of the youngsters have been snapped up by League clubs but 17-year-old Clovis Konsodiani-Kanda who came to this country two years ago after losing most of his family in the Congo wars, has become a semi-professional with Conference side Farnborough who gave him a trial.

Feeney, 33, who previously worked with the Peace Corps in Cameroon, reckons the success rate is between 65 and 70 per cent. "But what we consider success is someone who gets employment or goes back to college.

"These guys have gone a whole lifetime without anyone sitting them down, looking them in the eyes and listening to them. Just filling in a job application form for some is like climbing the Empire State building." The last intake included 17-year-old Emiliano Croni, a Kosovan refugee, and a couple of recruits who also play in the Street League for the homeless. Leon Francis and Julian Breedy, both 21, live locally in hostels and admit to youthful skirmishes with the law, but say Goals has provided a fresh start. Breedy had a spell with Cambridge United but ended up sleeping rough following an injury and family problems. He hopes to get back into professional football or the music industry.

Francis sees himself as a referee, a coach – or even a club scout. "I think Goals is a terrific idea," he says. "No matter who you are or where you are it can give you an incentive, and that gives you hope."