The pair joined local youngsters from Woodside High School for a football skills session laid on by coaches from the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, and also shared their advice on becoming top sportsmen.

The event took place at the Barclays Spaces for Sports site at White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre, comprising a state-of-the-art artificial grass pitch funded by Barclays and the Football Foundation.

Beyond Sport is the global initiative which seeks to unearth, celebrate and support the world's most inspirational sports projects, people and organisations that drive positive change through sport. It is partnered by Barclays Spaces for Sports and Virgin Atlantic.

The event followed the announcement of the shortlist for the Beyond Sport Awards 2009, from which a Judging Panel of Ambassadors, chaired by former Prime Minister Tony Blair, will choose the winners across categories covering the entire sporting spectrum of corporate and social responsibility, change and philanthropy.

The shortlisted projects were chosen from over 265 entries from more than 80 countries that submitted applications to this year's Awards.

powerful vehicle

All winners will be announced at the inaugural Beyond Sport Summit to be held in London on 7-9th July 2009. The successful projects in the six Beyond Sport Foundation Awards will receive £10,000 each and a package of support.

Johnson, the four-time Olympic gold medallist and Beyond Sport Ambassador, said: "I believe sport is the most powerful vehicle for positive social change all over the world. It's why I'm delighted to be supporting Beyond Sport, which identifies and rewards the most important sport development initiatives across the globe."

Bent, who has also supported the work of the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, said: "It's great to meet stars from different sports like Michael Johnson, especially when it's in support of community initiatives like this. Sport can benefit communities in so many ways, not just here in Tottenham but all over the world."

To find out more about Beyond Sport visit www.beyondsport.org.