Think Outside the Blox Wins Community Group of the Year

---

The 32 Boro Cup 2025 once again lived up to its billing as London’s premier youth football tournament, bringing together 32 teams representing every London borough in a weekend that blended competitive football with life skills, community spirit, and celebration.

All participants were Under-16s who had just finished the intense journey of their GCSEs, making the event a well-earned reward and an empowering experience at a crucial point in their lives.

The weekend kicked off on Saturday with a Workshop Day hosted at Teesside University London. But instead of tactics and formations, the focus was on financial education. Players engaged in sessions designed to teach budgeting, saving, credit awareness, and smart money habits — crucial knowledge as they begin to navigate life beyond school.

Workshops were hands-on and interactive, delivered by financial educators and supported by industry professionals and athlete mentors, blending real-world advice with practical tools for the future.

The message was clear: success off the pitch matters just as much as success on it.

On Sunday, the focus shifted to the game itself. Hackney Marshes, the spiritual home of grassroots football, set the stage for a day of fierce competition, skill, and borough pride. Crowds turned out in full force, creating a festival-like atmosphere full of music, energy, and support for their local teams.

Wingstop kept everyone fuelled with delicious food, Teesside University cooled things down with free ice cream, and Elite provided expert physio services to ensure players stayed match-ready throughout the day.

After a full slate of group matches and knockouts, the final came down to a high-stakes clash between Newham and Sutton. In a dramatic and hard-fought battle, Newham emerged victorious, securing the title for East London — again. This marks the second year in a row that an East London borough has claimed the crown, reinforcing the region’s dominance in the tournament.

Meanwhile, South and West London are still in pursuit of their first title, having gone six years without a win in the competition.

The 32 Boro Cup is powered by passion and purpose — and backed by some of London’s biggest names. This year’s team sponsors included UK rap heavyweights Nines and DBE, while Since ’93 proudly sponsored Hackney, reinforcing the deep connection between culture, music, and sport in London’s youth scene.

The event continues to grow in prestige, not just as a football tournament, but as a platform for personal development, borough unity, and youth empowerment.

As the sun set over Hackney Marshes, one thing was clear — the 32 Boro Cup is about far more than football. It’s about building a generation of well-rounded, confident, and inspired young Londoners.

See you again next year.

Think Outside The Blox recently hosted a community music workshop for 16–18-year-olds, providing a platform for young people to showcase their music, network, and connect with peers from different areas across London. Around 20 young people attended the workshop, which was part of a wider initiative — the Music Studio Workshop project — offering free access to music studios for young people, empowering them to explore their creativity and develop their musical talents in a supportive environment.

The performers from the workshop will go on to perform in front of an audience of 500 of their peers at a special showcase event in July, marking the start of the summer holidays.

Think Outside The Blox has joined forces with Pirate to offer a powerful opportunity for young aspiring musicians: over the next three months, twenty young people will receive free access to professional music recording studios.

Recognising the growing challenges that many young creatives face — particularly the high costs of studio time and the broader impact of the cost of living crisis — this partnership aims to remove barriers and ensure that talent isn’t left behind simply due to lack of access.

Through this initiative, participants will not only gain hands-on experience in a professional music environment but will also take part in the creation of a collaborative group album. The young artists will write, produce, and perform their own original music, with the final project serving as both a celebration of their creativity and a launchpad for their future in music.

This collaboration is part of Think Outside The Blox’s wider mission to nurture young talent and provide real opportunities in the creative industries — making sure the next generation has the tools and support they need to thrive.