Tottenham Hotspur Foundation is celebrating 20 years of delivering Premier League Kicks, with participant turned coach Demani Dos Santos named our Premier League Community Captain.
Demani is one of 26,000 young people estimated to have taken part in our community football sessions since they launched in 2006. Designed to build safer, stronger communities, Spurs was one of four clubs to pilot Premier League Kicks, an initiative now delivered by 93 clubs nationwide.
After first attending sessions as a 10-year-old on the Ferry Lane estate in Haringey, Demani has progressed through the programme from volunteer to apprentice, part-time coach and now full-time project lead.
“Premier League Kicks transformed my life and creating opportunities for others to have the same experience is what drives me every day,” he said.
Foundation sessions have expanded from Ferry Lane across north London and, on Thursday, at a girls’ session Demani runs in Enfield, the 27-year-old was surprised by Ledley King with the news he had been chosen as our Community Captain for 2025/26.
Demani said: “I'm very proud to be named the Club's Community Captain – and to receive the award from a Spurs legend in Ledley – I'm a little speechless! If it wasn't for Premier League Kicks and the impact it's had on me personally from a young age, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
Ledley, who helped launch Premier League Kicks alongside Prime Minister of the time Tony Blair, said: “Demani’s journey is testament to the incredible impact the Foundation’s delivery of Premier League Kicks has had on young people’s lives. From his beginnings as a participant to now leading sessions and inspiring others, he’s a true example of the power of football to create change. We’re proud to have him as our Community Captain and his story reminds us all of the importance of opportunity, community and giving back.”
Demani’s recognition comes as part of the Premier League’s More Than A Game campaign and he represented the Foundation at a reception hosted by current Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier this week.
Reflecting on his experience, Demani said: “It’s been an amazing journey with the Foundation. From participant to coach, I like to call it a home from home, like another family.
“Growing up on an estate was mixed vibes. There were good days and bad days, but Premier League Kicks was everyone just playing football, no matter where they were from, who they were, how good they were.
“I’ve experienced first-hand that just one opportunity, no matter how big or small, could change someone’s life. I now like to share my story with young people, so they understand where I’ve come from and that I’m not someone just paid to be here – I’ve been in their shoes and I want to help change their lives as my life’s been changed.”
Participant Alannah said: “Demani’s a great coach because he encourages us to be ourselves and he’s helped me a lot in building my confidence."
Omari Chambers-Alert, a long-time Foundation coach who has witnessed Demani’s journey, said: “Premier League Kicks has helped countless young people, including Demani, to have a platform to express themselves, give back to the community and be great members of society.
“Demani’s a role model to our participants today because he’ll go above and beyond to make sure they feel special, wanted and have a sense of belonging to something.
“He understands because he’s been through the pathway, so when he delivers a session you can see it’s centred around that. He wants to reward them for being part of the session, but also for just being who they are.”
For more information about the Foundation’s Premier League Kicks sessions, click here.