How Club Doncaster allows participants to fall in love with football: Steph’s Story

How Club Doncaster allows participants to fall in love with football: Steph’s Story.

Steph has always had a passion for football but due to her physical disability she struggled to find a team that suited to her individual needs. This meant she had been out of the sport for several years which as Steff admits led her to lose confidence. She says. “I wasn’t the most confident person and didn’t really believe in my own ability.”

This was all until in 2016 whilst at university she came across Club Doncaster Titans which are part of the EFL Trust and Wembley National Stadium Trusts Every Player Counts Programme. The programme has over the past five years, helped get over 13 000 people with a wide range of disabilities playing football – many for the first time .

But, after just her first session she felt “happier, more active and fell in love with football again!”  As she continued her journey at the club, she was provided the opportunity to get into coaching which started as leading the warms ups before progressing into having her own Wildcats session. Steph credits Darren, the Titans coach in helping her believe in herself.

She said: “I owe a lot to Club Doncaster Titans and Darren Warner for all the opportunities and experience they have provided me with which has really helped me grown and develop as a person and as a coach.”

Consequently, her belief and development with support from Darren has seen her takeover the Under 12 session allowing her to aid participants on a similar journey to herself.

In 2021, Steph was given the chance to begin a female only session with freedom to tailor it as her own initiative. She explained: “This session has really grown into its own and is thriving enough where we now have enough female players to compete.”

One of Stephs female players, Sheridan Batunas was full of praise for her coach. She said: “Steph is an amazing coach for our ladies’ team- she is always very friendly and polite and has a very big heart. I couldn’t wish for a better coach.”

Steph now hopes to “continue Darren’s legacy and keep providing opportunities for all.”

Club Doncaster are one of 28 Football Club Community Organisations across the country that offer the programme, which is specifically developed for the needs of people in their local community, including those with both physical, mental and learning impairments.

 

 

How Keira’s love for Blackpool FC has been the catalyst to her development.

Blackpool FC super fan, Keira has developed her ability to express herself since attending the clubs Every Player Counts sessions.

Keira lives with AUTS2 syndrome but her passion and love for football and especially Blackpool FC has been the catalyst for her progress on and off the pitch.

Blackpool are part of the Every Player Counts programme which is funded by Wembley National Stadium Trust and EFL Trust.  Every Player Counts has, over the past five years, helped get over 13 000 people with a wide range of disabilities playing football – many for the first time.

Before she attended the Every Player Counts sessions Keira lacked confidence and would be reluctant to speak to others, her mum explains:

“Keira’s communication has definitely improved. She is much more confident speaking to the other participants. Recently she has been telling the participants when she is going to watch a Blackpool FC game. When we first came to the sessions, she would never have been confident enough to do this. It’s so good to see. I think part of what has helped her express herself more is that she has made friends here who she is comfortable around.”

These thoughts are echoed by all that know Keira. Paul, Blackpool’s Community Engagement Officer said: “Out of all the participants I work with Keira is one of the most enthusiastic about Blackpool FC, she and her family are season ticket holders, and she loves seeing them play and talks about Blackpool’s results and fixtures when I see her at the Tuesday session… Her skills at football have improved greatly. We were practising a skill move the other day, the drag back turn, and Keira did it first time, something she would have found difficult when she first started.”

Keira will continue to attend the sessions and tell everyone about her beloved Blackpool FC.

Blackpool are one of 28 Football Club Community Organisations across the country that offer the programme, which is specifically developed for the needs of people in their local community, including those with both physical, mental, and learning impairments.

How Plymouth Argyle’s Every Player Counts session has given Cory the environment to succeed.

Argyle’s Ability Counts group has allowed Cory to develop from a shy 9-year-old to a confident, social 15-year-old teenager.

At 9 Cory was diagnosed with autism, learning difficulties, OCD, and anxiety where he struggled within social situations and the ability to process and regulate the changes in his day-to-day life.

Plymouth Argyle are part of the Every Player Counts programme which is funded by Wembley National Stadium Trust and EFL Trust.  Every Player Counts has, over the past five years, helped get over 13 000 people with a wide range of disabilities playing football – many for the first time .

Since his participation in the Junior Ability Counts football team at Argyle, he has gained confidence, friends and played for the Long-Term Player Development (LTPD) team. Cory has also widened his horizons by joining a mainstream football something that would have been hard to imagine before he started with Argyle.

His development has presented itself in numerous ways as since being involved at the Trust he has raised £2,000 for the Autism Association, something he felt passionately about raising awareness for and supporting the charity.

More so, he has gone on to complete his FA Refereeing qualification and now referees in the Devon Junior and Minor League every Saturday. As well as volunteering as a coach at the LTPD sessions.

His mum comments: “This is all thanks to the coaches that have supported Cory throughout playing in the Plymouth Argyle Ability Counts team.”

Cory is hoping to be given the chance to become an Sports Coaching Apprentice within the Community Trust when he leaves school next year.

Plymouth Argyle are one of 28 Football Club Community Organisations across the country that offer the programme, which is specifically developed for the needs of people in their local community, including those with both physical, mental and learning impairments.

Shamza’s Story: From moving to a new country not knowing the language, to receiving praise from the Prime Minister for leading positive Social Action within Bradford

For any young teenager, entering a new country and having to integrate into a new culture, as well as learning a new language can be an unnerving process. This was no different for Shamza, 18, who initially felt uncomfortable after leaving Italy. Fast forward 3 years and Shamza received recognition from the Prime Minister for her work in the community as she continues to work hard to make positive change.

Upon arrival from Italy 3 years ago, Shamza struggled with her confidence and ability to make friends. Shamza was unable to speak English and was deprived of opportunities to engage within her community, as she grew up in a small, low populated town within Northern Italy.

Therefore, upon moving into Bradford, Shamza took it upon herself to join NCS through Bradford City Community Foundation, a type of opportunity Shamza would have dreamt of having in Italy. From the onset, NCS helped Shamza to develop her confidence, social skills and ability to speak the English language, she was now able to get her voice heard.

Shamza talked to us about the skills she learnt and her experience with initially starting in NCS:

“I decided to do NCS because I wanted to meet new people and make friends, I wasn’t very outgoing and felt like maybe this was my chance to have fun and improve my skills.”

“NCS made a huge difference on me, it changed me as a person, made me realise that I’m worth it and that I can make friends and be myself. It gave me many skills such as public speaking, CPR training and many others. I was able to overcome my fears by doing new challenges such as rock-climbing and up-sailing to overcome my fear of heights.”

As part of NCS in Summer 2020, Shamza collaborated with a group to complete a social action project that would benefit her community. The group decided to create an inspiring mural in Bradford, to help celebrate the diversity within Bradford and also to celebrate the work done by key workers during the pandemic.

Shamza said:

We were all very proud of our mural because we know that it has made an impact not only on the people of Bradford, but also on those who see Bradford as a non-welcoming city with dangerous people.”

“It not only changed the perspective of those who live in Bradford, but also those who will see our mural and will be able to have a peek into Bradford through its people’s eyes, they will see our diverse community.”

“It was our way of thanking all those who have been working through COVID, our bus drivers, delivery drivers, nurses, doctors, parents, teachers and every single person that put their life at risk to provide for the community.”

The work done by Shamza and her group in the community of Bradford did not go unrecognised, as she was invited down to Number 10 Downing Street, to join Prime Minister Boris Johnson at a special “Thank You Day” BBQ on Sunday the 4th of July. Shamza was invited, along with other young people from across the country, for their work in supporting their local communities during the pandemic.

Reflecting on her evening at Downing Street and being thanked by the Prime Minister, Shamza said:

“It was amazing, I still can’t believe that it really happened! I spoke with Levi Roots, Sajid Javid and the Prime Minister about the social action project I did with my team in Bradford. The Prime Minster was really encouraging telling us to keep doing good and to be the changemakers this country needs!”

“It was really overwhelming to be part of the first ‘National Thank You Day’ and I’m so grateful to be given this opportunity.”

Despite achieving the pinnacle of community work, Shamza has not grown complacent as she is driven to deliver more social action within communities through joining the Peer Action Collective (PAC) programme, with Bradford City Community Foundation.

The PAC involves 120 peer researchers (aged 16-25), who design their own research questions and work with around 6,500 other young people (aged 10–20). The aim is to find out about young people’s experiences of violence and their views on how they can get involved in making their communities better places to live in.

The EFL Trust is working alongside Bradford City Community Foundation and Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme, to give young people in Bradford and Sheffield a voice to make positive change.

Shamza spoke to us about her role as a Peer Researcher:

“Having witnessed youth crime first-hand and seen the effects of the pandemic on my friends, I’m so excited to be part of this project, which will support over 1,500 young people and help me help my generation to heal and thrive.”

“Being a peer researcher means I can find out more about young people’s experiences in my area and then take action to improve their lives. Being a PAC peer researcher appeals to me as a way of learning more about the causes of crime as well as how to prevent it and change teens’ minds. Obviously, if we can’t change our generation now, these problems are going to be our future.”

As part of PAC, Shamza along with other PAC members were involved in anti-bullying initiatives to help high school students. Shamza and her group created fun games for the students to participate in, which all had the goal of raising awareness on bullying and hearing the voices of students who have been affected bullying from all perspectives.

Throughout the community work conducted, Shamza has continued her passion to impact as many individuals as possible within the community. Shamza now wants to further this passion as she is now set to join the Police Force, to continue helping people.

Shamza discussed her motives behind applying to the Police Force:

“I could have gone to university as my parents encouraged, however because of my work done in the community and my time on NCS, I am driven to helping people and that’s what motived me to getting involved in Public Services. NCS have been a big motivator for me wanting to help people.”

Making the world aware of her journey, Shamza was recently centre stage at the 2022 EFL Trust National Conference, where she was invited to talk to over 100 audience members, displaying truly how far she has come.

 

With years of inspiring social action and gaining recognition from the top, it’s fair to say Shamza has transformed communities, individuals and herself in comparison to where she was 3 years ago and where she is now.

NCS Graduate Connor Burleigh sets on making more of an impact as an official #iwill Ambassador and EFL Trust Youth Forum Member

Connor, who is an EFL Trust NCS Graduate, initially took part in NCS in the Summer of 2018 with Club Doncaster Foundation. Since then, Connor has been selected as a National #iwill Ambassador, as he wants to continue in his passion for making positive differences with communities and empower more young people to volunteer.

Since his time on NCS, Connor has continued to make differences in the local community. Connor joined the Changemaker initiative, where he is a voice for young people in Yorkshire and Humber. Outside of NCS, Connor has also been helping the community through his involvement within Doncaster’s Youth Council. Connor’s magnificent work has been well documented, as he was awarded with the Princess Diana Award for his work on anti-bullying in schools.

Since a young age, Connor has suffered with Autism, which affected his ability in social situations, specifically during his time at Primary school and early secondary school. However, since engaging in voluntary work through his school and during his time on NCS, Connor’s life has been transformed.

From a nervous speaker who was uncomfortable during the Youth Council meetings, to giving talks in classrooms full of students in schools. Connor’s work in the community, in addition to his own skills and confidence have gone from strength to strength.

After positively engaging in social action with his own communities, Connor has been recognised nationally and has been given the incredible responsibility of being an official #iwill Ambassador. Now, as an ambassador, Connor is on the path to encouraging other young people like himself, to generate positive social action within their communities.

The #iwill campaign was launched in 2013, with the motive of empowering and supporting young people in their effort to making change within their communities. As we celebrate the Power of Youth this week through #iwillweek,  Connor will be front and centre representing young people.

We caught up with Connor, as he discussed his experiences as an #iwill Ambassador:

During my time as a #iwill ambassador, I have attended a number of different events representing the #iwill campaign, including the People’s Powerhouse conference in 2019 and speaking at a panel of how social action helps develop character education at the Westminster Educational forum. I have been honoured to have been given the opportunity to promote social action to more young people across the country through this role.”

“Youth social action is important not only because it allows for young people to give back to their local communities, but it also allows for them to develop a variety of different skills along with meeting people from all walks of life that you might not have met otherwise. 

“My personal favourite part of it is meeting other #iwill ambassadors as it is always great to see what other young people are doing as well as being an inspiring and motivational experience.”

So what is next for Connor? Connor is set to continue expanding his already well recognised work within communities as an #iwill ambassador. Additionally, Connor has also gone onto studying International Relations at the newly crowned top ranked university in the UK, the University of St Andrews. With an exciting career path paved out, and after accumulating an incredible CV, there is just no stopping Connor.

Click here to find out more about Connor’s story.

To see more inspirational young people participate in social action such as Connor, view #iwillweek on Instagram and Twitter and spread the movement!

Preston North End embrace their multicultural fan base

Preston North End Community and Education Trust have opened a multi-faith prayer room to allow supporters of all faiths and backgrounds to pray on home matchdays.

The prayer room is situated between blocks E and F on the Invicibles Pavilion and was unveiled for use for the first time ahead of Saturday’s fixture against Derby County.

The Mayor of Preston, Javed Iqbal, was present for the unveiling, as part of the club’s Kick It Out matchday activities to promote equality for everyone involved in football – fans, players and staff, alike.

Supporters in attendance on a home matchday whose ticket is not for the Invicibles Pavilion will be able to access the prayer room by contacting their nearest steward, who will escort supporters to the prayer room every 15 minutes.

The prayer room will be open from 90 minutes before kick-off, when the concourses open, through until full-time – allowing those who need to pray at certain times of the day to leave their seat during the game if necessary.

 

Mayor of Preston open the multi-faith prayer room. Credit: Ian Robinson/ Preston North End. 

Mo Patel – a practising Muslim supporter who volunteered on PNECET’s Ramadan initiative earlier in the year, and has since progressed to the role of casual Community Engagement Coordinator with the Trust – praised the initiative to open a prayer room.

He said: “Some supporters may have had to make a decision between choosing to pray and attending a match during certain parts of the season, due to the different times that their religion may determine that they need to pray.

“We believe that supporters of all faiths should not have to make that decision and we want to continue to break down all barriers that may prevent any of our existing fans from attending matches at Deepdale, while also encouraging members of our local community to show their support for PNE.

“The opening of the prayer room is another step in our continued work with ethnically diverse members of our community and we will continue to strive to make positive changes to make Deepdale the most welcoming and inclusive place as it possibly can be for all fans.”

Mayor of Preston, Javed Iqbal, added: “It’s an absolute pleasure and delight to open this multi-faith prayer room.

“I hope people will use it and it will help to bring more and more people to North End.”

As part of the Kick It Out matchday on Saturday, we welcomed Preston United Youth Development programme participants and their parents to watch the game against Derby County and take part in our half-time penalty shoot out.

Speaking about attending the game, a member of the parents’ group said: “It was an exhilarating experience, I really enjoyed it.

“I was really apprehensive at first but honestly I had a brilliant time. I was conscious about my headscarf but it wasn’t noticed and I’m definitely coming again.”

For more information about the prayer room, please contact [email protected].

 

 

Lincoln City’s Conversation Club helps Quenia succeed in England

Lincoln City Foundation’s Conversation Club has allowed Brazilian native, Quenia to progress her nursing career in England.

Conversation Club is a free initiative hosted by Lincoln City Foundation to aid those who do not consider English as their first language. It was identified as a barrier for those in the local community to feel integrated and part of society and instead left them unsettled and isolated. However, through funding from the National Lottery, Conversation Club can tackle and help irradicate these societal barriers of inclusion.

Quenia joined the classes after settling in Lincoln, a vast World away from her home in Brazil but was understandably reserved when participating in open discussions due to her lack of confidence in conversing in English. As she consistently attended the club, Quenia’s belief and self-confidence continuously rose as she made friends.

In order to ensure this upwards trajectory continued to be nurtured, she secured a voluntary role in a Charity shop so she could regularly practice speaking with customers. All this effort, hard-work and determination meant after 9 months of attending the Conversation Club Quenia was successful in being accepted for a Care Assistant role similar to her profession in Brazil.

As Lincoln have adapted to a new hybrid way of delivery, this service has been made accessible to those far and wide with both in person and online sessions. Consequently, not only can residents of Lincoln attend but even those who reside in countries all over the World.

Joy of Moving moves online to support families

The Joy of Moving programme has been supporting year 5 children across EFL Communities in the UK for the past 6 years. The Joy of Moving programme has consisted of two elements; the Move & Learn project and Joy of Moving Festivals. Over 300,000 children have been introduced to moving and learning new skills all while having fun and playing.

Now, in challenging times with us all in lockdown, we have moved the programme that is traditionally delivered by our Football Club Community coaches in schools to online to help more families benefit from the fun games and activities. Our aim is to teach children how to enjoy moving through play and to help them develop positive habits for their future. These are great games to play with your children to get them moving and most importantly playing!

The games and activities are based on the unique Joy of Moving methodology, developed by Ferrero with key independent parties including Foro Italico (Rome University) and the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI). This methodology inspires children to move through play across the world, whilst developing key skills in four major areas: physical fitness, motor coordination, cognitive functions and creativity and life skills. 

This is not just another set of exercises or a cardiovascular workout which can often switch children off and make them feel under pressure. This is a method of offering you a series of fun games to play with your family, in a way that they will enjoy. We understand that you may not have all the time in the world so we’ve deliberately made the games short and bite sized, to get them moving and having fun! They can be done at home in a lounge, garden or any space you can find!

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing the Joy of Moving games and activities on our social media channels and you can find them all on our website www.joyofmovingresourcehub.co.uk.

You’ll find a range of games and activities you can do at home including Elastic Bridge, The Mirror and The Cap Race.

Join us now to experience the Joy of Moving and bring that joy into your home! Share your fun moments with us through #JoyofMoving.

FIT FANS online campaign launches to get football fans active

The EFL and EFL Trust have today launched an online FIT FANS campaign to provide a safe way for fans to get active in the safety of their homes.

In support of Sport England’s ‘Stay in Work Out’ campaign, the programme will ensure fans have a safe way to start and maintain exercise safely, during this current period.

According to new research released by Sport England, over 65% of people believe that exercise is helping them with their mental health, making an active lifestyle more important than ever for EFL fans and the nation.

Over the next 12 weeks we will feature sessions developed by two fitness coaches, Scott Copeland and Steph Thompson from the Club Community Organisation (CCO) network and will be released twice a week for fans to follow and get involved.

The sessions will introduce the concepts of safe warm up and cool down, increasing daily step counts and activity levels gradually, before moving onto sessions including aerobic strength and training. The exercises will vary and be fun to really give fans the chance to keep moving and see improvements in their fitness.

The sessions will be released each week on Wednesday at 5pm and Saturday at 11am on the EFL and EFL Trust YouTube channels, and will be available for fans to watch at their own leisure within the safety of their own homes.

Stay home, save lives and join the FIT FANS movement as we find new ways to keep moving in around our homes.