Getting his new role as a Laureus ambassador underway, Villas Boas (pictured top) unveiled the study, which indicated that 80 per cent of youngsters who take part in sport are less likely to be responsible for anti-social behaviour and more likely to stay away from gangs.

Perhaps most importantly, 69 per cent of respondents said they were more optimistic about their future since taking part in a local project, with 65 per cent saying they had improved their social skills because of sport.

"Laureus has shown over the years that it understands how to help young people through sports projects and this research is very significant," said Villas Boas as he launched the report at the Walworth Academy's Laureus Urban Stars project in South London, where he led a football training session.

"I am passionate about how football can help young people in the community.

"This is something we also try very hard to do at Tottenham Hotspur through our Foundation.

"It's great to see Urban Stars using football in London to help young people turn their lives around and becoming valuable members of the community.

"Laureus has once again proved that sports projects are highly effective when it comes to giving young people an alternative to gangs and youth crime and giving them a more positive outlook."


Commissioned by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and carried out by the University of Gloucester in South London, the study questioned participants and project leaders from the Urban Stars programme, which works with vulnerable, marginalised and disadvantaged 13-19 year olds, with more than half not in formal education and almost 90 per cent not in training.

Operating in centres in Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow and London, Urban Stars uses football and a variety of other sports to overcome social and cultural barriers and improve young people's lives, with research finding a 30 per cent reduction in crime reoffending rates in prison leavers who had taken part.

"What the findings of this report clearly show is that the Urban Stars initiative is meeting its aims and objectives to use sport to engage young people who are identified as marginalised, vulnerable, or 'at risk' of social exclusion," lead researcher Professor Andrew Parker from the University of Gloucestershire explained.

"The report also demonstrates that sport can be effective not only in engaging marginalised youth but in tackling youth crime and reducing reoffending.

"At the same time it can provide a variety of support mechanisms and educational/life course pathways."

Edwin Moses, Olympic champion and Laureus World Sports Academy chairman, added: "I would very much like to welcome André Villas-Boas to the Laureus Family and to thank him for the commitment he is making to become an Ambassador and to be with us at the launch of this important report.

"The Laureus Ambassadors play a vital role in promoting the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation which has helped so many disadvantaged young people over the years.

"It is wonderful to see great young coaches like André, who believe in the importance of giving back to society, joining us and helping us to achieve our goals."

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