Benedict Cumberbatch visits Active Communities Network

He has played the role of a doctor, a detective and a genius, and today Hollywood actor and Arsenal supporter Benedict Cumberbatch tried his hand at football as he visited the Laureus-supported Active Communities Network programme in South London.

Ahead of hosting the Laureus Awards in Monaco on February 27, the star of Sherlock, The Imitation Game and Dr Strange spoke with volunteers and participants at the Laureus-supported Active Communities Network programme in South London. The young people from the local community use sport as a pathway to make positive lifestyle choices, learn life skills and progress into education, training and employment programmes.

Having hosted both the 2014 Awards in Kuala Lumpur and the 2015 Awards in Shanghai, Benedict is aware of the work Laureus Sport for Good undertakes around the world, but today’s visit was an opportunity to learn first-hand the ways in which sport helps young people overcome violence, discrimination and disadvantage in South London.

“Later this month, the 2018 Laureus World Sports Awards will celebrate sporting excellence, but we’ll also recognise and celebrate the good which can be achieved through sport at all levels. Laureus Sport for Good supports more than 100 programmes around the world, and having spent time with the young people from the Laureus-supported Active Communities Network programme in London today, I’ve seen the transformational power sport can have in helping young people better themselves in their everyday lives.”