My initiative is designed for and delivered in London
Yes
I am 18 years of age or above, by the application deadline.
Yes
My organisation is a registered legal entity
Yes
My organisation is a non-profit (e.g. school, university, or local authority) — not a for-profit, which can only join as a partner.
Yes
If there is a for-profit organisation as a partner in my initiative, they work on a cost-recovery basis only.
Yes
My solution is implemented at scale, or if not, I have a clear business plan, a minimum viable solution (prototype, pilot, or proof of concept), evidence of access to a lease for the space you are leveraging, and evidence of work or impact in London within your coalition.
Yes
I am aware that, if I am submitting more than one application to a Challenge run by Ashoka and Go! London, only one of them is able to progress through the stages.
Yes
Are you an employee (and their children and grandchildren) of Ashoka or any of its respective affiliates and participating advertising and promotion agencies?
No
I have read and accepted the Challenge Terms & Conditions.
Yes
First Name
Suleiman
Last Name
Sidi Abdullahi
Pronouns
He/Him
Email address
I would like to receive notifications and updates about Go London!, Ashoka, Ashoka Changemakers, and other Ashoka opportunities.
1
Are you an Ashoka Fellow?
No
Are you applying from an organization founded by an Ashoka Fellow?
No
If you are applying from an organization founded by an Ashoka Fellow, please specify the name and organisation of the fellow below.
Lead Organisation Name
NSN Basketball Academy CIC
Year that you started/ registered your organisation
2024
Initiative Title
NSN Reimagined Spaces Programme: Basketball, STEM & Global Coaching Pathways
My initiative is designed for and delivered in London
1
Website URL(s) or Social Media Handles
https://www.instagram.com/nsnredleopards/
Initiative Stage
Growth (You’ve moved past the very first activities; working towards the next level of expansion.)
Sectors/Themes: What topic does your project most directly relate to?
Children & Youth
Initiative Summary: Describe your initiative in one sentence
NSN Reimagined Spaces is a youth-led programme that transforms underused community environments across East London into safe, inspiring and productive hubs where young people—particularly those vulnerable to street culture, gang influence and social isolation—can access structured basketball training, STEM innovation workshops, simulation racing experiences and world-class international coaching, creating an engaging alternative to negative environments while empowering them to build confidence, discipline, leadership and future-ready digital skills; by combining sport, technology and global mentorship, the initiative not only offers a powerful route to physical activity and personal growth but also provides a long-term support system that strengthens character, nurtures positive identity, expands aspirations beyond local boundaries and opens pathways to education, employment and international opportunities, ultimately reimagining community spaces as vibrant centres of belonging where young people can safely play, learn, connect and thrive.
The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve and who will benefit the most from your solution? How close are you to the problem and/or community impacted?
Young people in East London face a growing shortage of safe, structured and inspiring spaces where they can develop positively, especially in communities affected by gang activity, exploitation, social isolation and rising youth violence. Many young people in Barking & Dagenham, Newham and Redbridge spend significant time in environments that do not support their wellbeing or future prospects, leaving them vulnerable to negative influences and cycles of disengagement. At the same time, access to affordable sport, creative learning, and meaningful mentorship remains extremely limited, particularly for families on low incomes. NSN Red Leopards works directly with these young people every week and has seen first-hand how a lack of positive spaces impacts confidence, behaviour, mental health and aspiration. Many of the boys we coach have experienced unsafe streets, peer pressure, school exclusion or limited opportunities to express their potential. This problem matters deeply to us because we grew up in similar environments and understand how access to strong role models, structured sport and encouragement can completely redirect a young person’s path. Our solution creates safe, active and future-focused spaces where young people can replace street exposure with basketball, STEM innovation, simulation racing and international coaching pathways. Those who will benefit most are young people aged 11–19 who need belonging, consistency, discipline, positive identity and opportunities that raise their horizons. By being rooted in the community and led by people who share lived experience, NSN is close to the problem and trusted by young people, enabling us to design solutions that truly meet their needs.
Your approach: How are you/ will you addressing the problem outlined above? How does your solution unlock or reimagine access to spaces for sport and physical activity? What role do landowners, local authorities, or other decision-making stakeholders play in your approach? We'd love to know about the origin of your idea, and what was your "aha" moment" that led you to take action?
Our approach is to turn underused or disconnected community spaces into safe, structured and inspiring environments where young people can replace negative influences with sport, creativity and future-focused learning. We address the problem by delivering regular basketball sessions, STEM workshops and simulation racing activities directly in community venues, schools and youth centres, making engagement accessible, local and consistent. We work closely with Future Youth Zone, local leisure centres and schools to unlock space availability, reduce cost barriers and collaborate on shared delivery, while exploring partnerships with local authorities and landowners to activate spaces that are currently underutilised or not youth-friendly. The idea began when we noticed that many young people we coached had nowhere safe to go after school and were spending evenings on the streets, exposed to gang pressure, exploitation and isolation. Our “aha” moment came during sessions where we saw how quickly young people transformed when given structure, mentorship and a sense of belonging. This showed us that space is not just physical—it is emotional, social and aspirational. Our solution reimagines these spaces by integrating world-class international coaching, digital learning and youth co-design, ensuring young people shape how the space looks, feels and functions. By strengthening partnerships with FYZ, schools and community venues, and bringing together coaches, STEM facilitators and international partners, we create a joined-up approach that opens doors for young people who are otherwise excluded from traditional sporting or educational pathways.
Collaboration with young people and the community: In what ways does your initiative engage young people and community members closest to the problem? What role do they play in building the solution you deliver?
Young people are at the centre of NSN, shaping the direction, culture and growth of the programme. We work directly with youths who are closest to the problem—those facing unsafe streets, limited opportunities and the pull of negative influences—and we consistently involve them in co-creating the solutions we deliver. During and after sessions, we hold open conversations, feedback circles and informal check-ins where young people share what works, what doesn’t, and what they want to see next. Their ideas have directly influenced our training structure, the introduction of simulation racing, the development of STEM sessions, and the creation of international coaching pathways. A powerful example of our youth collaboration was our trip to Spain, where four NSN players experienced a week of international basketball, cultural exchange and high-level coaching. This opportunity emerged from young people expressing a desire for greater exposure, competition and global learning experiences. Their enthusiasm and feedback shaped the formal partnership we now hold with Petraher in Valencia, and their input continues to guide how this pathway will expand. Our new relationship with Future Youth Zone was also strengthened by youth demand; many of our players requested safer, more structured and consistent indoor spaces, leading to weekly sessions that they help us design and refine. Several young people now take leadership roles—supporting warm-ups, helping new participants settle in, creating digital content, advising on session flow and shaping the environment to make it welcoming for their peers. Through this approach, NSN is not built for young people but with them. They act as co-designers, ambassadors and.
Potential for/Evidence of Impact: How do you imagine your initiative will make a difference in unlocking spaces for and access to physical activity and sport so far? If you have already implemented it, what difference have you made so far? What is the impact your initiative has had , and or what impact do you envision having in the future?
Our initiative unlocks safe, structured and inspiring spaces that give young people consistent access to physical activity, & mentoring . Through weekly basketball sessions for both youth and adults, we have already provided a powerful alternative to unsafe streets, offering over 60 young people a stable environment where they can build confidence, teamwork and resilience. Our men’s sessions also act as a community anchor, supporting young adults who still need structured spaces and belonging. A key part of our long-term impact is our developing “NSN Pathway Loop.” Young adults who play with us in the league will have opportunities to gain safeguarding, first aid and coaching qualifications, enabling them to transition into paid coaching roles at market rate to lead our youth sessions. This creates a sustainable cycle where local young people evolve into role models, earn income, gain professional experience and reinvest their skills back into their community. We already see strong early outcomes: NSN reached the London League semi-finals, four players received international coaching in Spain, and several youths have stepped into leadership roles within sessions. These milestones demonstrate a credible pathway that raises aspiration and expands what young people believe is possible. Looking ahead, we will expand our impact beyond sport by launching a structured STEM pathway—graphic design, 3D printing, coding, digital media and job-ready tech skills—delivered with qualified professionals already within our network. This will allow young people to explore modern career opportunities and strengthen employability. Our partnership with Future Youth Zone will unlock consistent indoor space and enable us to scale weekly sessions, STEM learning and int
Innovation: What is different about your initiative compared to other solutions that are already out there? How is your approach original and innovative?
What makes NSN different is our hybrid model that connects youth empowerment, physical activity, digital skills and global opportunity in a way that very few grassroots sports organisations offer. While many programmes focus on either sport or education, NSN intentionally integrates both, using basketball as the entry point and combining it with leadership development, digital literacy and modern career pathways. Our approach reimagines what a community sports programme can look like—moving beyond physical activity to build a holistic ecosystem of growth, opportunity and belonging. One of our most innovative elements is our international partnership with Petraher in Spain. This offers young people access to cross-cultural exchange, professional coaching, competitions and personal development opportunities that extend far beyond their local environment. These global links shift young people’s aspirations, broaden their identity and open real pathways into European basketball, education and international networks—something extremely rare in community-led programmes. We also introduce future-facing learning by integrating STEM into our delivery model. NSN has access to simulation racing expertise currently used in Oxford, and we plan to embed racing simulators, coding, 3D printing, digital design and job-ready tech training into our weekly programme. This is led by one of NSN’s co-founders, a qualified Computer Science lead teacher, giving us the professional capacity to deliver high-quality, career-relevant learning. STEM, international exchange and community leadership, NSN creates a new type of youth space—one that supports physical health, digital futures and global aspiration simultaneously. This multi-layered approach allows us to shift norms,
Viability and Scalability: How are you setting your initiative up for success, and what is your plan to ensure operational sustainability of your solution and its impact? What are your ideas for scaling your initiative to the next level?
We are setting NSN up for long-term success by building a delivery model that combines consistent weekly programmes, strategic partnerships and clear pathways that help young people progress into education, employment or professional sport. Our partnership with Future Youth Zone provides stable indoor space and community reach, allowing us to scale youth sessions, men’s sessions, leadership training and future STEM labs in a sustainable, structured environment. A core part of our sustainability strategy is the “NSN Pathway Loop,” where young adults in our men’s league develop into paid youth coaches through safeguarding, first aid and coaching qualifications. This builds a local workforce pipeline and keeps delivery community-led, reducing long-term staffing costs while strengthening youth ownership and leadership. We also create progression routes for talented players. During our partnership visit to Spain, one of our youth players was vetted by a semi-professional team in Valencia, with discussions continuing about the possibility of him playing in Spain next season. These opportunities show young people that sustained commitment can lead to real, life-changing pathways — a powerful driver for retention, motivation and long-term impact. Financially, we plan to sustain our work through a mix of grant funding, coaching fees, local authority partnerships, corporate sponsorship, international exchange programmes and STEM-related funding streams. With a qualified Computer Science lead teacher as co-founder, we will integrate coding, 3D printing, digital design and simulation racing into our delivery model once funding becomes available, expanding into the tech and employability space. Over the next three years, we aim to grow significantly.
Roles and Responsibilities: Describe how responsibilities are shared among your team or partners.
NSN is led by two co-founders whose combined professional experience forms the backbone of our programme. One co-founder is an NHS IT professional with extensive experience in systems management, safeguarding, operational planning and community engagement, as well as an ex–semi-professional basketball player who leads coaching, session design, talent identification and pathway development. The second co-founder is a qualified Computer Science Lead Teacher with expertise in digital curriculum design, safeguarding, youth development and STEM education, who will lead our future technology pathway, including coding, 3D printing, digital design and simulation racing. Together, we oversee strategy, delivery, safeguarding, partnerships, mentoring and quality assurance. A key responsibility within our model is the development of youth leadership. We actively support young adults in our programme to gain safeguarding, first aid and coaching certifications, enabling them to progress into paid coaching roles at FYZ and future NSN sites. This ensures young people become session leaders, role models and decision-makers, contributing to warm-ups, peer mentoring, session organisation and the overall culture of the programme. Our partnership with Future Youth Zone provides a structured environment, consistent space, safeguarding oversight and facility support, while Petraher in Spain contributes specialist coaching, international pathways and opportunities for player exchanges and professional exposure. These partners play an essential role in expanding both the depth and reach of our programme. We are also building a network of professionals—particularly in tech, digital media, fitness and education—who have expressed interest in contributing to STEM sessions, media content, employability training and programme coordination once funding becomes available. As NSN grows, responsibilities will scale across a broader team of coaches, STEM facilitators, youth mentors and project coordinators, while the founders continue providing strategic leadership, partnership management and community direction. This creates a sustainable, multi-skilled team capable of delivering a high-impact, youth-led ecosystem across multiple locations.
Upcoming Milestones: Please provide an overview of the milestones that are required for your initiative to come to fruition/to grow.
Over the coming phases of NSN’s development, we will focus on structured growth milestones that strengthen delivery, expand access, and build long-term sustainability. Timelines are approximate and will progress as capacity and funding allow. 1. Expand and Strengthen Weekly FYZ Programme (Early Phase) Continue delivering weekly basketball sessions for young people at Future Youth Zone. Systematically track attendance, engagement, and skill development to build measurable evidence of impact. Begin identifying emerging youth leaders who can be trained into assistant-coaching roles. 2. Establish the Youth Coach Development Pathway (Early–Mid Phase) Support selected young adults to obtain safeguarding, first aid, and assistant-coaching qualifications. Gradually introduce paid coaching placements within NSN sessions, creating a youth-led leadership pipeline. Create a development framework where players can progress from participant → trainee coach → lead coach. 3. Introduce STEM & Digital Skills Pathways (As Funding Becomes Available, Mid Phase) Launch entry-level digital skills workshops—coding, 3D printing, graphic design, digital media—led by NSN’s co-founder, a Computer Science Lead Teacher. Support participants with job-ready skills and begin connecting them to employers, apprenticeships, and industry mentors. Develop small pilot projects combining sports + tech, such as athlete branding design or wearable technology exploration. 4. Integrate Simulation Racing & Emerging Technologies (Mid Phase) Begin offering simulation racing experiences as a parallel skill pathway, teaching discipline, focus and technical skills. Collaborate with existing providers to run introductory sessions, with potential to scale to regular or intensive programmes. 5. Strengthen International Exchange & Elite Athlete Pathways (Mid–Later Phase) Continue developing NSN’s partnership with Petraher Basketball Club in Spain. Offer annual overseas exposure trips for selected youth, building on our successful 2025 visit. Support high-potential athletes pursuing trials with European semi-pro clubs, continuing pathways already established. 6. Broaden NSN Presence Across Additional Boroughs (Later Phase) Replicate the FYZ model with additional youth centres, schools or community hubs. Use a scalable “plug-and-play” structure to expand basketball delivery, STEM workshops and simulation racing with minimal operational friction. 7. Build NSN’s Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning System (Ongoing) Develop a data-driven impact dashboard tracking attendance, progression, wellbeing, and employability outcomes. Produce periodic community impact summaries to support growth, funding and partnership development. 8. Strengthen Funding, Sponsorship & Long-Term Sustainability (Ongoing) Diversify income through grants, sponsorships, corporate partnerships and programme-based revenue where appropriate. Introduce a “Future Coaches Fund” to support young adults gaining qualifications and paid coaching opportunities. Establish a sustainability model that ensures continuity regardless of funding cycles. 9. Long-Term Vision: Develop the NSN Sports & Technology Hub (Longer-Term Phase) Begin exploring options to secure a multi-use facility that brings together basketball, STEM, simulation racing and employability training. Design a 3-year pathway positioning NSN as a leading London hub for youth development combining sport, education and innovation.
Capacity-Building Participation and Support Funding: If you were to make it as a finalist, you will be required to participate in an 8-week capacity building programme. If funding/ cost is a barrier to your participation, we may be able to offer up to 10,000 GBP of grant money available to support you. Please break down below, if it is the case, what costs you would incur and you would need covered. (Please note that there are restrictions on how the grant money may be used; please refer to the T&Cs for further details.
To participate fully in the 8-week capacity-building programme, NSN Redleopards would require support to ensure we can engage at a high level without interrupting the weekly youth and men’s sessions that our community depends on. As a small, founder-led non-profit, intensive training periods can stretch our operational capacity, so participation funding would help us stay consistent while allowing us to focus on developing our long-term strategy. If up to £10,000 is available, it would cover: 1. Continuity of Youth Sessions During Programme Weeks Hiring assistant coaches to lead our weekly FYZ youth sessions and men’s team training while founders attend workshops. This prevents disruption to our safe, structured environment for young people. 2. Administrative & Coordination Support Part-time admin support to help with reporting, scheduling, communication, document preparation and programme-related tasks. This ensures we can meet programme requirements without reducing frontline delivery. 3. IT & Digital Capacity Needed for Participation Upgrading essential laptops and hardware needed for online workshops, collaboration, and submission of programme materials; software tools such as project management platforms, design tools and secure cloud storage; and connectivity support (e.g., broadband upgrades or portable WiFi) to guarantee reliable participation in all sessions. 4. Travel & Participation Costs Transport for in-person workshops, events, and cohort activities, as well as occasional relief costs (such as childcare) to remove barriers to consistent attendance. 5. Early Development Resources Modest costs for planning tools, design materials and prototyping, enabling us to immediately apply programme learning to strengthen our organisational model. This support would allow NSN to participate fully and absorb the maximum benefit from the programme while maintaining uninterrupted delivery for young people. It also strengthens our organisational foundation, ensuring we are well-prepared to scale our impact sustainably during and after the innovation challenge.
If you selected “Other”, please specify below.
N/A
