Community

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMUNITY
 

F.A. AND McDONALD'S INVEST IN YOUTH
 
The Football Association and McDonald's are teaming up with the youth volunteering charity 'v' in an innovative partnership to offer leadership and volunteering opportunities through football.
 
 
The F.A. has secured £340,000 of funding from 'v' that will be matched by McDonald's, The F.A.'s official Community Partner, as the sport seeks to attract a new generation of coaches. Starting in March 2008, The pairing aim to recruit at least nine hundred extra young volunteers aged between 16-25 over the next three years. These coaches will then be deployed within clubs, schools and youth organisations to deliver at least one year of voluntary coaching.

Brian Barwick, F.A. Chief Executive, said: "This is a tremendous example of partnership. The elite level of the game may generate the headlines but 99% of our national game is played at the grassroots. At many clubs, it is typically just one or two people who volunteer to do everything from organising the fixtures, to running the training sessions and washing the kit. This scheme will build on existing F.A. volunteering programmes which are vital to keeping the sport alive at this level."

The volunteers will have the opportunity to attend an F.A. Level One coaching course, while those already Level One qualified will have the chance to move on to Level Two and Three coaching badges. McDonald's will also be given the opportunity to recruit members of staff aged 16-25 years old to become qualified volunteer coaches, with recruitment based on a genuine interest in football coaching.

Sir Geoff Hurst, McDonald's Director of Football, added: "On behalf of McDonald's, we're delighted to be working with The F.A. and 'v'. This new deal will sit alongside our community coaching programme which has successfully created over 9,500 coaches across England since 2002."

"This partnership is part of our commitment to helping people lead a balanced, active lifestyle. We're excited to be able to give young people the chance to get active and benefit their local community through volunteering to be a coach. Without volunteers who give up their free time, grassroots football couldn't survive," he continued.

A Talent I.D. programme will develop the coaches via feedback from mentors, with the potential of a career in coaching a considerable 'carrot' at a time when Sir Trevor Brooking, The F.A.'s Director of Football Development, is attempting to overhaul the coaching structure in England.
 
  
 

SPORTING SUCCESS
 
Over 150 Children from around the Rayleigh area have enjoyed a fun filled summer, all for free, thanks to the Star Youth Football Project.
 
The summer programme was set-up to give the youngsters of Rayleigh a choice of activities, which included numerous sessions of football, drama, dance and basketball, were enjoyed by everyone who attended, and the staff and coaches received praise for their organisation and energetic work with the children.

Although the events were all held at Grove Junior School in Rayleigh, the information flyers inviting children to come along were sent out to numerous schools in the surrounding area, stretching as far as the Riverside Junior School in Hullbridge.

Pat Kielty, Co-ordinator of the project said: "I am delighted at the turn out we have had for this programme, the kids really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to scheduling more activities for term time."

For more information about future events and sports sessions, contact Pat on

01702 542 209
 
  
 

SOCCER SCHOOL
 
Twenty-five youngsters from around Great Wakering were put through their paces last week as part of a 4-day soccer school.
 
The school ran from Monday, 7th August to Thursday, 10th August and was based at Great Wakering Primary School. Part of the Star Youth Football Project, the course was delivered by Active Soccer and Sports Academy.

The days started at 10am and run through until 3pm. Various drills, skills, competitions and matches made up the days and the finals were held on Day 4. All children taking part received a medal and 3 lucky youngsters won tickets to the Southend United versus Sheffield Wednesday game on 9th September.

Neville Hickton from Active Soccer & Sports Academy commented: "The soccer school was quite intensive and full of different football activities for the children. It was great to see so many parents on the finals day, and the feedback we've had from the children and the parents has been very encouraging."

Pat Kielty, Star Youth Football Co-ordinator added: "Part of the star Youth Football Project is to provide activities in Great Wakering and the soccer school has proved a real success."

For further information about the Soccer School or the Star Youth Football Project please call Pat Kielty on 01702 542209 or e-mail: patrick.kielty@ghg.org.uk
 
 

FOOTBALL FUN AT COLCHESTER
 
Over 170 children from around the county enjoyed some expert football coaching this week as the Colchester United Community Sports Trust held their annual Soccer Camp at the University of Essex.
 

Colchester Fun and games
Football mad youngsters, aged 4-14, had a chance to brush up on their ball control and passing skills as they took part in a variety of drills and fun games featuring challenges named after the world's best players such as Wayne Rooney and Thierry Henry.
 
 
All sessions featured a mini World Cup tournament and Football League Championship new boys, Colchester United, also came along to offer valuable tips with U's boss, Geraint Williams, posing for pictures with the children.
 
Soccer Camp Director, Steve Downey, commented: "We like to put the fun into football and our soccer camp is a great way for children 
to experience football, some for the first time, in a positive, fun environment.  We have some children who have been coming to us every year and they really enjoy themselves."
 
Colchester Manager, Geraint Williams
Every child received a certificate of attendance, a PUMA football, soccer camp t-shirt plus a free gift and there were also special trophies and medals for 'Players of the Week' and 'World Cup' winners.
 
All of the Community Sports Trust activities can be found on their website at www.cucst.org.uk or by emailing info@cucst.org.uk.
 
 
 
 
 
 

GOOD JOB FOR JFO STUDENTS
The YMCA students who recently completed their Junior Football Organiser's certificate have been looking back on their life changing experience and a job well done.
 
The five young adults were signed up to the YMCA's Entry into Employment (e2e)) scheme and, in partnership with the Essex County FA and NACRO, gained their football qualification by running coaching sessions at Trinity Road Primary School in Chelmsford. 

JFO students set up the nets at Trinity Road
 
Jenny Darrington helps co-ordinate the Entry into Employment scheme for the YMCA: "It's really built up their confidence and self esteem and they are all extremely proud of their certificates."

The JFO included two females, Jodie and Chloe, and both enjoyed the coaching sessions at Trinity: "When I was told that we were coaching football I wasn't that keen but once I got started I actually enjoyed it and thought it was a great experience for me and the children. I feel that this course will make me want to participate more in activities and it's also built my confidence," said Chloe.

Jodie added: "I really enjoyed helping the children with football and their dribbling skills."

Some of the students are hoping that this is just the beginning of their coaching career as young adult, Alex, explained: "I really enjoyed the football and liked seeing all the different people and I am now taking my coaching skills further."

Jenny Darrington added: "Many thanks go to the Essex FA and NACRO for giving the young people on the e2e training programme the opportunity to participate and gain a JFO award and we hope to work with both organisations again soon."
 

BACK ON TRACK AT TRINITY
The Essex County FA teamed up with the NACRO project recently to run a Junior Football Organiser's course for young adults who are signed up to the YMCA's Entry into Employment scheme.  

Children from Trinity Road Primary School with their football festival certificates
    
A JFO student explains a football drill to the children
The course, which is aimed at 14-18 year olds, is designed to give youngsters a taste of football coaching and took place across three weeks before culminating with a football festival, organised by the JFO students, for children at Trinity Road Primary School in Springfield. 
 
NACRO's David Streetley commented: "The JFO students were youngsters who had dropped out of school and the YMCA's Entry into Employment scheme helps give them a second chance and raises their confidence and self esteem."
 
  Last week's football festival at Trinity Road saw 50 boys and girls from School Year's Five and Six take part and David was delighted with the JFO students' progress: "They've really made giant steps and did a great job in organising the festival. When they first signed up to the course there were a few students who were a little uncertain but their confidence has grown and, by the end of the festival, they were ordering me about!"

Prior to the football festival, the JFO students ran coaching sessions at Trinity Road and David received positive feedback from the YMCA which is based on Victoria Road in Chelmsford: "The YMCA think the JFO course was one of the best things they've ever done so we're hoping that the students can progress from here.
"Some might look to take their Level One Coaching badge and it would be great to see them return to NACRO and help out on our school holiday football courses."
The JFO students with representatives from the ECFA, NACRO and the YMCA

 

BASILDON JFO SUCCESS
There was football coaching success in Basildon recently with ten young adults achieving their Junior Football Organiser's Award at Gloucester Park.
 
 
The JFO was run by the Basildon Community Football Project in partnership with West Ham United and the award saw the ten young adults cover football topics such as warms ups, skill techniques, mini soccer, refereeing and organising a festival for children.
 
With a JFO under their belts, the young adults now have the skills to run football sessions for children and West Ham United Community Coach, Dan Godfrey, commented: "These lads have shown a positive approach to the course and will hopefully gain employment within the Basildon Community Football Project in the not to distant future."