Our first year with Crystal Palace FC
A reflection on our opening season in partnership with reigning FA Cup champions, Crystal Palace Football Club.
When we partnered with Crystal Palace Football Club and Palace for Life Foundation in 2025, we did so around a shared belief: that education and sport, together, can create real and lasting opportunity for the communities of south London.
A year on, that belief has turned into action across classrooms, pitches, boardrooms and 26.2 miles of south London pavement.
On the march
Four of our staff joined 250 walkers for Palace for Life Foundation's flagship Marathon March, covering the full marathon distance across south London in support of local young people. The team raised £1,400, contributing to an overall total of £125,365 — smashing the previous year's fundraising record.
Rethinking the kit bag
Crystal Palace's Chief People Officer, Julie Brown, joined the judging panel for our Pledgeball Hackathon, where students were challenged to rethink the lifecycle of sports merchandise and design innovative, circular solutions. Crystal Palace also supplied prizes for every student who took part.
Level Up: Women in Sport
Members of our women's football team attended the launch of the Level Up: Women in Sport series at Selhurst Park. Launched by Crystal Palace in collaboration with Motorsport UK – Race for Diversity and Marylebone Cricket Club, the series will support 30 women aged 16 to 24 in building careers in sport through behind-the-scenes access, industry exposure and partner-led workshops.
Varsity gets an eagle
This year's Greenwich Students' Union Varsity event welcomed a special guest — CPFC mascot Pete the Eagle. Pete and the Crystal Palace team cheered on Team Greenwich and promoted a buy-one-get-one-free ticket offer for the CPFC women's team match against Charlton at Selhurst Park.
Training Ground and Academy Experience
Two of our students won the chance to watch the Crystal Palace men's first team train and meet the players up close. They also toured the club's academy and performance centre and sat down for an "Eat like a player" lunch.
"Incredible access, a great atmosphere, and memories to last a lifetime. Seeing the Crystal Palace squad train up close was an unforgettable experience!"
Khalil Kharoubi
LLB Law In Practice, Final year
"Once in a lifetime experience. Exclusive access into the first team training and academy tour was unreal and gained an immersive insight into professional football life."
George Tubb
Marketing and Brand Management BA (Hons), Final year
Image from EA Sports FC 26, an association football simulation video game.