SPORT
Keelan Foster
February 2021
Meet Keelan Foster.
He was born and raised in Hackney, in a poor neighbourhood in London. He was mainly raised by his mum, and had to assist looking after his siblings, as the oldest of 3 boys. He dropped out of school early aged 15 and found whatever jobs he could to help his mum and his family.
Throughout the tough times he endured in this part of his life, he felt lost and needed something to help him. In his neighbourhood, there was a single basketball hoop that no one ever used, so one day he bought a ball from the shop and went to play on his own. Three hours later, he realised he had lost track of time due to loving what he was doing. From this moment, he realised his passion for basketball.
The story behind...
Everyday onwards, he managed to find time to get away from home and had time alone to play basketball. Some of the local children started to play too, and he soon realised what a communal sport it was. He made friends with the local children and they soon formed team games, where for the first time in a while, he felt like he belonged somewhere and had a purpose.
Keelan found a Hackney basketball club, just a 15 minute walk from his house and signed up to take his passion further. The coach saw his talent, something which Keelan never believed he had, which motivated him to take it seriously.
During his time at the basketball club, he encountered some set backs, such as comments and attempts to bring him down from some other players. Some of the boys on his team didn't make him feel welcome, due to him being the newest member and they were jealous of his natural talent. He spoke to his coach, and mentioned quitting, but due to the potential his coach saw in him, he didn't allow this to happen.
The motivation from the coach and his mum encouraged him to carry on playing, regardless of what others said, and those who didn't believe in him and only made him persevere with his passion further.
In his spare time on weekends and out of work hours, Keelan runs basketball lessons and motivation for young disadvantaged people in a similar situation to where he once was. He appreciates the financial struggles families can face, so charges a very small amount for the sessions, as he wants to encourage young people to find their passion without a financial burden. He treats the young people he teaches like friends, to allow them to always have someone to turn to in times of need.
Vista chose him to be the cover star of Issue 2 due to his selfless attitude to helping others, and his goal to motivate others who find themselves in a similar situation to where he once was. We believe he is an inspiration to others, and want to share his story to let people know there is always a way to do what you love: Keelan has no educational qualifications and endured many set backs in his life but has still managed to find happiness in doing what he loves.
Keelan never took his passion for basketball to professional level, as he believed doing it constantly would kill his love for it. He now has a full time job, his own flat and lives with his girlfriend and his dog Willow. He has chosen the path of happiness over success and aims to carry on helping others.
In our interview with Keelan (find below), he says he used basketball to help himself out of his disadvantaged upbringing, but now provides lessons and team games for disadvantaged youths like himself to find their talent and passion, and uses his income to give back to his mum who single-handedly raised him and his 2 brothers. If he could give life advice to his younger self or younger people in a similar situation to where he once was, he encourages people to keep doing what they love and your current situation isn't permanent as you can change your life around. Keelan's inspiration is James Harden, as he also came from a disadvantaged background, and Keelan used James' journey to success as a model to help him towards a better life. In the future, Keelan still hopes to carry on helping others in a similar situation to where he once was, and hopes to inspire others, like James Harden inspired him.
Upon talking with Keelan he recommends some worthwhile reads and watches:
Series - The Last Dance on Netflix
Film - Coach Carter
Book - Michael Jordan The Life by Roland Lazenby
Don't forget to also read our magazine, print or online when your subscribe, to find top tips on taking up sport for your physical and mental health!
