Anti-Knife Crime Community Football Match
In partnership with local organisations and community leaders, Cardo Group proudly sponsored the Anti Knife Crime Community Football Match an event designed to bring communities together, engage young people positively, and raise awareness around the impact of knife crime.
Hosted at Arbour Park on Friday 22 May 2026, the event welcomed residents, families, local stakeholders, and young people from across Slough for an evening focused on unity, prevention, and opportunity.
- Event: Balls Over Blades Anti Knife Crime Community Football Match
- Date: Friday 22 May 2026
- Location: Arbour Park, Stoke Road, Slough, SL2 5AY
- Attendance: Community-wide open event
- Entry: Free for all attendees, including raffle participation
Objectives
The initiative aimed to:
- Promote positive relationships between young people and local authorities
- Raise awareness of the dangers and consequences of knife crime
- Encourage healthier lifestyles through sport and recreation
- Create safe spaces for community engagement
- Strengthen partnerships between businesses, policing teams, and residents
By supporting preventative community initiatives such as Balls Over Blades, Cardo Group continues to demonstrate its commitment to delivering social value beyond housing and construction services.
To compliment the friendly team relationships Cardo Sponsored a Player of the match cup trophy for both teams “No knives just vibes” and donated 2 x £50 One4All vouchers as raffle prizes.
Activities and Interventions
The event programme combined sport, engagement activities, and community interaction to create a safe and inclusive environment for residents. Activities included:
- Friendly football match between Thames Valley Police and the Slough community
- Penalty shoot-out competition
- Virtual reality games
- Community giveaways and family activities
Outcomes
The event successfully:
- Brought together residents, young people, and community organisations
- Encouraged positive dialogue around knife crime prevention
- Strengthened relationships between the community and local policing teams
- Increased participation in positive recreational activities
- Delivered an inclusive, community-focused event accessible to all
The initiative also highlighted the value of collaborative partnership working in addressing social challenges at a local level.
Feedback
The Balls Over Blades Anti Knife Crime Community Football Match demonstrated how sport and community engagement can be used effectively to support awareness, prevention, and positive social outcomes.
Through its sponsorship and support, Cardo Group helped deliver an event that promoted safer communities, encouraged meaningful engagement with young people, and reinforced the importance of partnership-led solutions to tackle knife crime.
