Tough Love documentary exposes the highs and lows of grassroots football
A documentary made about a sports coach exposes some of the techniques which help steer young boys away from self-destructive behaviour.
Tough Love is a film about Steadman Scott, who runs Afewee boxing and football club, which launched the careers of footballers such as England and Liverpool defender Nathaniel Clyne, Millwall and England women’s striker Rinsola Babajide, and England Under-17 and Manchester United winger Joshua Bohui.
The documentary shows the highs and lows of grassroots football – and is to have a free screening at Brixton Ritzy, on October 20 at 10.30am.
It was made by Brixton film-makers Ray McFarlane and Patrick Steel, giving an access-all-areas look at Afewee, and Scott’s unorthodox but proven training style.
With his business partner Tony Goldring, Steadman has run Afewee for more than a decade.
The kids, from eight-18, respect them and their parents trust them. It shows that not every child will be good enough to make it to the top – but his coaching is about more than football.
For local kids, the club offers an alternative to the streets and an opportunity to improve their lives. It is something Scott, a former gang member who has served time in prison, is critically aware of.
The boys and girls at Afewee learn about discipline, passion, hard work and self-belief – that is a route to sporting glory, fame and riches. But it is also a route to success in other areas.
He warns in the film that the road to the top is tough, and even for those that sign for a club, a secure future is not guaranteed.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Steadman Scott and the film-makers.
Tough Love premiered at East End Film Festival 2018 and was selected for a special screening at Amnesty International’s Welcome Cinema.
Free tickets are at http://bit.ly/ToughLoveFilm or https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ tough-love-tickets-50974 775927.
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