A 21-year-old who served time in jail for his part in the London Riots has turned his life around by becoming a football coach.

And now Mario Quiassaca, of Churchill Gardens Estate in Pimlico , is a contender to scoop a prestigious 'YOPEY' youth awards this Saturday (March 29), which is being judged by Labour leader Ed Miliband.

In the summer of 2011 Mario, then 18, was a semi-professional player and top clubs had their eye on him. He had been
studying Sports Science at college with a career in that field to fall back on. But on the evening of Monday August 8 he joined a group of other young people looting designer fashion shops in Sloane Square and then taunting police.

He was arrested at home with more than a thousand pounds worth of goods and was jailed for 30 months for burglary and violent disorder. He served 12 months and on release spent four more wearing a tag. But he was kicked out by his football club and college.

Now, 21, he volunteers for the sports education programme Let Me Play. Emma Wells from the programme, said: "Mario's is an absolute turnaround story. He is now working as a football coach and getting his dream of being a footballer back on track. He is a true role model."

Mario said: "The majority of my kids come from tough backgrounds and don't have role models, so I make it my duty to know what's going on with them. Some of them just want to be bad boys but once I hit them with some real-life stories they seem to be amazed and realise that's its time for a change."

As well as teaching the boys to play football, Mario encourages them to study hard and promotes the value of strong families. He added: "I have been through a lot but don't feel sorry for me. I have been blessed by the faith people have had in me and now life is good."

And he is even back scoring goals, playing for Conference South side Hayes and Yeading United.

Mario will find out whether he has won the £1,000 top prize or a £100 runner-up prize at the awards ceremony at 15 Hatfields in Waterloo this Saturday.

Labour leader Ed Miliband said all the young finalists "will build a better, more engaged and more civic society".

As well as John Lewis, the first London YOPEY is supported by Artemis Investment Management, Takeda pharmaceutical development, Arriva London buses, HostelBookers budget accommodation specialists, the Big Choice
graduate recruitment and The Ritz London hotel.