Latest news with #GreenwichUniversity
The Guardian
12 hours ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Football Foundation funds scholarship in memory of Stephen Lawrence
A new scholarship programme commemorating the memory of Stephen Lawrence is to be funded by the Football Foundation, with the aim of supporting black students from low socioeconomic backgrounds to train as architects and help develop more inclusive infrastructure for the national game. The Stephen Lawrence Scholarship has been developed in conjunction with Greenwich University and will see one student each academic year provided with a fee waiver for the establishment's MArch Architecture programme. The recipient of the scholarship will also work with the Football Foundation outside their studies. Stephen Lawrence aspired to become an architect before he was murdered in a racist attack in the south London neighbourhood of Eltham in 1993 at the age of 18. He was also a keen Manchester United supporter and his mother, Doreen Lawrence, said the scholarship would be a 'meaningful continuation' of his legacy. 'Through the Stephen Lawrence Scholarship, Stephen's legacy will continue to inspire and empower future generations, ensuring that his vision for equality, opportunity and justice lives on,' said Lady Lawrence, who holds an honorary doctorate at the university. '[It] will provide opportunities for the next generation and reinforce the vital role that education and sport can play in transforming communities.' The Football Foundation works to improve grassroots facilities in the sport, with an emphasis on 'where the need is greatest and the greatest impact will be made'. It is funded by the Premier League, Football Association and UK government. Robert Sullivan, the organisation's chief executive, said the scholarship would form part of its work to lower barriers to entry in the sport. 'This initiative is the perfect legacy as we work to plan, design and construct facilities that target and support groups and communities who have faced barriers in terms of participation,' Sullivan said. 'This includes lower socioeconomic groups and culturally and ethnically diverse communities. These facilities provide not only a great place to play but also a safe space for communities to come together, where people can meet and build friendships.' A lack of representation for black and minority ethnic people within football continues to be an issue for the game. In 2022, data recorded by the Black Footballers Partnership found that 43% of players in the Premier League were black but only 4.4% of former players were in managerial roles in England. Meanwhile, only 1.6% of executive and leadership roles at men's clubs were held by black people. Paul Elliott, the vice-chair of Charlton, which sits in the borough of Greenwich, helped to broker the scholarship deal. A long-term activist for racial equality in football, the former Celtic and Chelsea defender said: 'This partnership between the University of Greenwich and the Football Foundation is a powerful example of what can be achieved when shared values and vision come together. 'It has been a personal honour to help bring these organisations together in Stephen Lawrence's name – uniting his passion for football with our collective commitment to creating inspiring spaces and life-changing opportunities for young people. Through the Stephen Lawrence Scholarship, we not only honour his legacy, but actively build on it, empowering a new generation.'
Sky News
28-03-2025
- Sky News
Nasen Saadi: Criminology student with 'grievance against women' jailed for murdering personal trainer on beach
A criminology student who murdered one woman and attempted to murder another on a beach in Bournemouth has been jailed for life, with a minimum term of 39 years. Nasen Saadi, 21, from Croydon, fatally stabbed personal trainer Amie Gray, 34, 10 times as she sat beside a fire on Durley Chine Beach in Dorset on the evening of 24 May. Her friend Leanne Miles, who was sitting next to her on the beach, suffered 20 knife injuries but survived the attack. Saadi was found guilty of murder and attempted murder after a trial at Winchester Crown Court in December. On Friday, he was sentenced to life in prison. In sentencing, the judge Mrs Justice Cutts, said Saadi had denied his guilt because he wanted the "notoriety of a trial" and had a "complete lack of remorse". She said: "The clear evidence is you planned to kill and went to Bournemouth to do so. "I am satisfied that you chose Amie Gray and Leanne Miles because you have a grievance against society as a whole and women in particular." She added: "It seems you have felt humiliated and rejected for any advances you have made towards girls, which has led over time to a deeply suppressed rage towards society and women in particular." The judge said the attack was "utterly senseless" and added: "I have no doubt you are an extremely dangerous young man and will remain so." The trial previously heard how Saadi, who was studying criminology at Greenwich University in London, was asked by one of his lecturers: "You're not planning a murder, are you?" He had asked tutors questions about self-defence for murder and how long DNA stays behind. Saadi, who had collected knives and researched locations to carry out the killing, told detectives he had an interest in true crime, unsolved cases, and horror movies. The court heard he used the name "Ninja Killer" on his Snapchat account and also had the username "NSkills" on his computer. During the trial, the jury was shown CCTV footage the prosecution said showed Saadi walking along the beach promenade. They also heard a CCTV audio recording of screaming and a male voice at around 11.39pm - the time of the attack. A recording of a 999 call made by Ms Miles was played to the court in which she was heard crying in pain. The 39-year-old told the operator: "I have been stabbed loads of times. Oh my God, I am getting dizzy, please hurry up, please hurry up." She continues: "I am bleeding everywhere, I have been stabbed loads of times." The defendant, who chose not to give evidence, admitted visiting Bournemouth but denied the offences. He told police he might have "blacked out" and had no memory of the period that included the attacks. In a police interview shown in court, Saadi said: "I am not responsible and I have no reason to attack someone for no reason." Saadi pleaded guilty to failing to provide his mobile phone code to police.
Sky News
28-03-2025
- Sky News
Nasen Saadi: Criminology student who murdered woman in beach attack jailed
A criminology student who murdered one woman and attempted to murder another on a beach in Bournemouth has been jailed for life, with a minimum term of 39 years. Nasen Saadi, 20, from Croydon, fatally stabbed personal trainer Amie Gray, 34, 10 times as she sat beside a fire on Durley Chine Beach in Dorset on the evening of 24 May. Her friend Leanne Miles, who was sitting next to her on the beach, suffered 20 knife injuries but survived the attack. Saadi was found guilty after a trial at Winchester Crown Court, which heard how Saadi, who was studying criminology at Greenwich University in London, was asked by one of his lecturers: "You're not planning a murder, are you?" He had asked teachers questions about self-defence for murder and how long DNA stays behind. Saadi told detectives he had an interest in true crime, unsolved cases and horror movies. During the trial the jury was shown CCTV footage the prosecution said showed Saadi walking along the beach promenade. They also heard a CCTV audio recording of screaming and a male voice at around 11.39pm - the time of the attack. A recording of a 999 call made by Ms Miles was played to the court in which she was heard crying in pain. The 39-year-old told the operator: "I have been stabbed loads of times. Oh my God, I am getting dizzy, please hurry up, please hurry up." She continues: "I am bleeding everywhere, I have been stabbed loads of times." The defendant, who chose not to give evidence, admitted visiting Bournemouth but denied the offences. He told police he might have "blacked out" and had no memory of the period that included the attacks. In a police interview shown in court, Saadi said: "I am not responsible and I have no reason to attack someone for no reason." Saadi pleaded guilty to failing to provide his mobile phone code to police. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
