Scienza: I was playing barefoot every day in Brazil
Leo Scienza has already made a huge mark at St Mary’s Stadium and in the hearts of Saints fans since joining in the summer, but he was reminded of his humble roots during recent a visit to Saints Foundation’s SO14 Active project.
In the shadows of St Mary’s Stadium, SO14 is among the 15% most deprived areas in the country {English Indices of Deprivation, 2025}, and the life expectancy gap between the most and least deprived areas of the city is around eight years {UK Office for National Statistics, 2021}.
The SO14 Active project aims to get the blood pumping in the heart of the city, bringing residents together to get moving through fun, free sports-based activities.
Paul Hedges, Saints Foundation’s Health Projects Manager, said: “It is one of the most multicultural areas of the city, and it also has some of the highest levels of deprivation. The fact that the club sits right on the footprint of that area makes it important to recognise the space and community we are part of.
“Lots of different people have lived here over the years, but what has always been strong is the sense of community. SO14 Active is a Football Foundation-funded project with the ethos of using the power of football to bring communities together. It is about looking at the strengths of an area and how we use that to help those spaces grow and thrive.”
In collaboration with a consortium of local partners, Saints Foundation runs a programme of sessions designed to improve the health and wellbeing of adults living in central Southampton.
Leo visited a Football for Refugees session, which is often the first true sense of community for new arrivals to the city. He said: “I felt like these guys, coming from Sweden to Germany, and now to England. I am an outsider. I have been through many experiences, and I am very thankful to be where I am now.”
During the 2024/25 season, SO14 Active engaged 478 residents from the area, with 83% achieving a positive outcome. These outcomes range from improved physical and mental wellbeing to forming stronger positive connections.
More than just football, we respond to the needs of the SO14 community and provide activities that they've told us they want. This includes women's fun fit sessions, walking cricket, pilates, and a selection of football sessions for a variety of demographics including refugees and LGBTQ+ friendly sessions.
Leo’s visit comes in the build-up to Saints Foundation’s Charity Matchday, as we host Charlton Athletic at St Mary’s Stadium. We will be celebrating our impact across the city and connecting fans with their community. Foundation will also be taking centre stage on the pitch, thanks to P&O Cruises donating their front of shirt spot to the Foundation, creating a bespoke shirt for the players to wear with pride.
Fans have been given the chance to support Saints Foundation through our matchday prize draw and level up their matchday experience. For just £5 per entry, fans could win four tickets to the Halo Lounge for Saints vs Oxford on Saturday 21st March.
£5 (1 chance to win) could buy shin pads for a young person to take part in our Premier League Primary Stars after school football clubs for the first time. 60% of our Premier League Primary Stars participants live in the 20% most deprived areas of Southampton, so your donation can help these participants learn a new skill
£10 (2 chances to win) could buy a pack of resistance bands for our Falls Recovery sessions, helping people to get back on their feet, improve their strength, balance, and mobility
£20 (4 chances to win) could pay for one of our Community Champion or Premier League Inspires participants to earn a King's Trust qualification, ensuring they are able to reach their full potential
£50 (10 chances to win) could pay for three older adults to be transported to our community sessions. Almost 1 in 5 older adults in Southampton feel lonely, and our projects give them a place not only to maintain their fitness, but also make positive connections
To find out more about how Saints Foundation has impacted Southampton and how the Club supports the city, read our Impact Report 2026.
