NASSA’s Next Generation networking + fundraising dinner on sale

Newham All Star Sports Academy is celebrating its 20th birthday with an event aimed at generating funds to support its east London operation

NASSA works with young people across east London
NASSA works with young people across east London

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tell me about NASSA’s Next Generation…

Newham All Star Sports Academy (NASSA) is set to host its first networking and fundraising dinnerNASSA’s Next Generation – at Brick Lane Music Hall in Royal Docks this summer.

what is NASSA?

For 20 years the charity has been an engine of social mobility for young people in east London.

Engaging them through basketball, it supports their education and training, instilling discipline and ambition in some of the most deprived areas in the capital.

Its Carry A Basketball Not A Blade campaign has reached more than 100,000 young people, teaching them about the dangers of knife crime and working in partnership with the Metropolitan Police to tackle gang culture.

In short, NASSA saves young people’s lives and enriches them.

NASSA CEO and founder, Natasha Hart
NASSA CEO and founder, Natasha Hart – image Matt Grayson

>> Natasha Hart MBE, NASSA CEO and founder, started the charity in 2005 after taking her two sons to a Newham park to teach them basketball.

Soon she was surrounded by young people keen to try the sport, which inspired the charity’s creation.

Natasha said: “Once you become part of the NASSA family, that’s for life.

“What started in 2005 as a way for young people to get outside and keep fit has grown into a bigger mission, working with the community to tackle violence and gang culture through sport and education.

“It’s incredibly moving to hear about the difference we’ve made in people’s lives. Now we want to reach even further.

“It’s amazing that we’re able to host this networking and fundraising dinner in our 20th year to help us continue that work.

“We’re so grateful for the support we’ve had over the years and would love you to join us on June 18, 2025.”

why NASSA’s Next Generation?

To continue in its work and expand its operations, NASSA needs to raise funds and is always looking for new organisations and individuals to partner with. 

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, it has created an event aimed at bringing its supporters together with those who would like to get involved to network, to introduce the charity’s ongoing work to them and mark its achievements.

Networking and dinner will be followed by a show at Brick Lane Music Hall in Royal Docks
Networking and dinner will be followed by a show at Brick Lane Music Hall in Royal Docks

what will happen?

NASSA’s Next Generation is set to take place at Brick Lane Music Hall in Royal Docks on June 18, 2025, from 6pm-midnight.

The evening will start with a drinks reception with plenty of time for networking.

This will be followed by a three-course dinner and a music hall show, with further opportunity to socialise after the curtain falls. 

who will be there?

The evening will be hosted by NASSA with support from the charity’s patron, Sir Stephen Timms MP, minister for social security and disability.

The event will also be attended by senior management from long-time NASSA supporters Excel London, Tate&Lyle Sugars, London City Airport and Novotel London Excel as well as the Royal Docks Team and local businesses.

Excel London CEO, Jeremy Rees - image by Jon Massey
Excel London CEO, Jeremy Rees – image by Jon Massey

>> Excel London has long been a supporter of NASSA and its work.

CEO Jeremy Rees has brought local organisations together in an advisory capacity to help guide the charity as it continues to grow and develop, tackling some of the toughest issues in society. 

Jeremy said: “What Natasha and the team have done over the course of two decades is incredible and deserves our attention and backing.

This is an organisation that started with just £20 in its bank account and has now reached more than 100,000 young people.

“The NASSA’s Next Generation networking and fundraising dinner is all about how we can work together as businesses, organisations and individuals to help it continue these vital efforts and reach the next 100,000.

The event will be a real celebration of NASSA – but we can’t do this alone.

Support us on June 18 and we can do even more.”

The charity works to fight knife crime and gang culture through its Carry A Basketball Not A Blade campaign
The charity works to fight knife crime and gang culture through its Carry A Basketball Not A Blade campaign

how can I get involved?

Tickets to the event are now on public sale, priced at £220pp with all proceeds going to NASSA.

A small number of full tables (12 seats) and half tables, priced at £200pp are available too. 

 In addition to the show, a raffle will be held on the evening for exclusive prizes from the likes of Kricket, iFLY London, Arc Community Sauna, Emilia’s Crafted Pasta and Skuna

how do I book tickets?

Can email info@wharf-life.com or visit the charity’s website.

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NASSA set to focus on fundraising as Newham charity turns 20

Newham All Star Sports Academy marks two decades as it continues to use sport to fight knife crime and support young people in east London

NASSA founder and CEO, Natasha Hart
NASSA founder and CEO, Natasha Hart

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“I’m still so passionate about it, 20 years after we started,” said Natasha Hart. “NASSA is one big family – once you set foot in there, you don’t want to come out.

“We have volunteers who started with us when their children were small – they’ve grown up and left, but their parents are still helping out.

“The young people who have been through our hands stay in touch, even two decades later.”

This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the day Natasha took her two sons to Balaam Park in east London to teach them basketball, offering to make it a weekly treat. 

They invited their friends, word got round and soon she was coaching groups of more than 30 kids.

The demand was there. 

With £20 in the bank she registered Newham All Start Sports Academy (NASSA) as a charity and never looked back.

In 2008, her son, Anthony Okereafor, launched NASSA’s Carry A Basketball Not A Blade campaign in response to the fatal stabbings of two of his friends within weeks of each other.

Its work, tackling knife crime and gang culture, while breaking down barriers between youngsters and the Metropolitan Police, has seen more than 100,000 young people aged 10-18 attend its sessions.

 In that time NASSA’s teams have also won league titles, its initiatives have been recognised with a multitude of awards and Natasha has received an MBE as its CEO. 

But the demand for the charity’s blend of sports and education is unrelenting.

The pandemic and cost of living crisis have taken their toll and its work is sorely needed because it’s ultimately about more than a child learning the discipline of sport – it’s in the business of creating community.

NASSA is celebrating 20 years of work in Newham in 2025
NASSA is celebrating 20 years of work in Newham in 2025

addressing a need

“NASSA is always attracting young people,” said Natasha.

“Some want to meet new friends, some want to play sports, some want to be away from something and others want to progress and develop.

“We are always learning from them because it’s not only about the child.

“They’re a brother, a sister, a son or a daughter.

“Once the young person trusts us we find the whole family joins in.

“From a single session they get involved and the ball starts rolling – we’ll be asking how are they doing in school, what life is like – then after a few weeks you build that trust.”

Those relationships allow the charity to help address a wide range of issues facing those living locally.

It works to tackle domestic violence, addiction and unhealthy peer pressure and knife crime through a blend of mentoring, coaching, support and education. 

“If we can find a solution to a problem then we will, or we can refer people on to specialists who can help,” said Natasha.

“We always want to be growing as a charity, to reach more people and embrace new ideas. For example, when we first started our workshops with the police, the relationship with young people was poor. 

“Now each year we play a friendly game with serving officers and that builds trust – the young people can see they are human and that they play basketball, which is so important because they are the people you need to call when you’re in trouble.”

The charity addresses a wide range of issues through its programmes
The charity addresses a wide range of issues through its programmes

NASSA: creating community

Over its first two decades NASSA has been successful in securing support from the likes of Excel, Tate And Lyle, UEL, Sport England, L&Q, London City Airport, the Mayor Of London, Newham Council, the Royal Docks Team and Basketball England. 

“We’ve been very lucky with the supporters we have, the volunteers, the coaches and the sponsors who all enable us to deliver,” said Natasha.

“We have a rich history with what we’ve done in this community and a great track record in helping change and save the lives of people in this part of London.

“That we are able to do this is very satisfying for all those involved with the charity whether it’s our sponsors, our staff or me.”

To mark its 20th year, NASSA is planning a renewed focus on generating funds for its activities, with an ambition to roll out its mission to other parts of the capital. 

A fundraising event is set to be held in June at Brick Lane Music Hall in Royal Docks as a celebration of the charity’s anniversary to help spread the word about the work its doing and offer businesses and individuals new ways to get involved in its activities. 

“We want the event to help us reach new supporters and a new audience and for them to be able to come together with our existing sponsors,” said Natasha.

“It’s an opportunity for us to showcase what we have done over the past 20 years and what we are going to do in the future. 

“We know we have expertise and I would love us to be able to roll that out to the surrounding boroughs. 

“With knife crime the way it is in London, our work is needed more and more and I believe this is a model that could work across the city, helping to save more young people’s lives.” 


Aspirational: NASSA uses the discipline of sport to effect change in young lives
Aspirational: NASSA uses the discipline of sport to effect change in young lives

key details: NASSA

NASSA, based in Royal Docks, is always looking for support from volunteers, businesses and organisations to help deliver its sport and education programmes. 

Full details of NASSA’s fundraising event in June will be published in due course. 

If you or your company think you could help in any way by providing resources or funding, you can contact the charity here

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