2017 - Page 9 of 11

NCS Matchday takeover!

10th February 2017/in NCS, News /by EFL Trust

NCS Matchday has returned with EFL clubs from all three divisions uniting to show their support for the programme which is focused on providing opportunities for 15-17 year olds.

The NCS Matchday takeover has proven to be a huge success in recent years, with the aim to increase awareness and participation.

In the coming weeks, clubs all across the land will host their NCS Matchday. The club’s first team players will have an important role to play by warming up in NCS branded t-shirts and meeting programme graduates.

NCS graduates will be in attendance throughout the day to discuss their experiences of the programme to younger supporters.

NCS is a nationwide experience for 15-17 year olds. It is a unique opportunity for young people to learn new skills alongside having fun and creating unforgettable memories. More than 275,000 young people have already said yes to NCS.

Josh Morris, Scunthorpe United’s NCS Ambassador said: ”NCS is brilliant. It gives young people the chance to experience a variety of challenges while building new friendships and benefitting the local community.”
John’s views were echoed by Cara Harrison, an NCS graduate from Sheffield Wednesday. Talking about the NCS Matchday, she said: ”It is good that clubs participate in NCS match day and important that we spread the word.
”Everyone needs to be clear how much of a positive programme NCS is and how it can help young people. The NCS programme is something everyone should be doing and I have so many lifetime fond memories from my time on the programme. Because of the NCS, I have met some good friends now and I wouldn’t have met them if I didn’t join.”

To find out more about how to get involved in the NCS programme visit – https://www.ncsefltrust.co.uk/

Teen lands his dream job after completing NCS

9th February 2017/in NCS, News /by EFL Trust

After completing an NCS course run by Peterborough United’s community department ‘The Posh Foundation’, teenager Callum Avent landed his dream job at his boyhood club.

There are a number of different challenges for young people as they go through adolescence. One of the most common hurdles is a dip in self-confidence.

The National Citizen Service (NCS) programme has a proven success rate of helping 15-17 year olds build their confidence levels and develop important life skills. It is a chance for teens to shake things up and develop new skills for whatever post-GCSE life has to throw at them. It changes how teens see the world and has a huge impact on communities across the UK with over 1.9 million hours of social action taking place across the country – the equivalent to building 74 Olympic Stadiums and 1 The Great Wall Of China.

Teenager Callum Avent turned his life around after signing up to the NCS programme four years ago at his beloved football club, Peterborough United.

Callum is first to admit that when he started the programme, he was a very shy and quiet person. Now, aged 19, Callum is a self-assured young man and is living his lifelong dream by working full time for his favourite football club Peterborough United as their Futsal Assistant.

”The NCS programme instantly appealed and it has helped me in so many ways.” admitted Callum.
”A lot of people joined who were in the same boat as me and we learned so many important life skills that have proven to be invaluable.
”The NCS programme has benefited me as a whole. I was very shy and had no confidence but by being given responsibilities and working as a team it helped me be who I am today.
“We did a few different tasks such as helping local charities and going away for a few days to Shropshire to do team activities. We also did workshops for CV and employability which opens so many doors.
“Some people at a young age don’t have that much confidence so the NCS programme helps with that and you can conquer so many fears when you are away from your family.”

Callum’s attitude and commitment to the programme was noted by the club’s NCS manager Jenna Lusk, resulting in the die-hard Posh fan gaining full time employment at the League One side.

Callum explained: “Peterborough United invited me to come back and be a volunteer for the NCS programme. It was something I immediately wanted to do, to help others.
“Alongside NCS, I was on the Futsal programme and after my scholarship finished, Jenna offered me a job and I haven’t looked back.
“I would tell any young person to say yes to NCS because it can help you achieve your ambitions that you think may not be possible.
“NCS is growing, when I was first on the course I used to talk to people about it and only a few people would recognise it. Now it is so popular and everyone knows what it is. A lot of organisations recognise NCS.
“I remember five years ago doing work experience as a year 10 student at Peterborough United and now I am here and I love it!”

Peterborough United amongst 31 other clubs across the EFL will be hosting a NCS match day. The NCS Match Day takeover has proven to be a huge success in recent years through the guidance of EFL Trust, with the aim to increase awareness and increase participation. The club’s first team players will have an important role to play by warming up in NCS branded t shirts and meeting programme graduates.

To find out how you can get involved in the NCS programme visit – https://www.ncsefltrust.co.uk/

Southend United player visits Lancaster School

7th February 2017/in News /by EFL Trust

Southend United first team player Jason Williams made a surprise trip to Lancaster School to give pupils a day in the life insight of what it’s like to be a professional footballer.

Lancaster School is a designated Community Special School for up to 77 students aged 14-19 with a range of complex needs: Severe learning difficulties (SLD), profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), neurological impairments, complex physical and medical difficulties, alongside students with moderate learning difficulties who may need additional and emotional support before transferring to local colleges at post 19.

The striker spent the afternoon inspiring the younger generation, answering questions and giving health and fitness advice.

The students were very excited to see him and asked questions such as, ‘What sort of training do you do and do you have to eat healthy?’, ‘What is it like to score goals for the blues?’
Jason answered, ”I have to train hard and I do a lot of running and stretching to keep fit. I also try and keep healthy and watch what I eat but sometimes I slip up!”

Jason was also there to talk about Southend United’s Future Blues programme, a joint initiative run by the Club and Southend United’s Community and Education Trust, which offers youngsters the chance to be a part of the Club’s future by giving them two free tickets to come and watch live football at Roots Hall Stadium.

Jason had this to say about the program, ”I think it’s a great idea for people that wouldn’t usually come to a Southend game. It will give us a boost, walking out to packed stands. If I was their age and someone came into my school to offer me free tickets to a football match I would jump at this chance!”
Neil Thompson, PE teacher at Lancaster School said, ”It’s great for the students to hear from a professional footballer from a local club like Southend, the coaches, Joss and Joe from Southend United Community and Educational Trust are great with our students and they are really lucky to have this opportunity.
”The fact that Southend can offer 2 free tickets to every student is brilliant and it will be great for them to experience a real football match. You see professional players on TV so for the kids to be lucky enough to have a visit from one is fantastic.”

To find out more about Southend United Community and Education Trust visit – http://www.sufccommunity.co.uk/index.php

#EveryPlayerCounts

Walking Football to feature on TV

7th February 2017/in News /by EFL Trust

Walking football, a slow-paced version of the beautiful game which is specifically targeted at the over 50’s, will feature on ITV’s tonight show this week.

The founders of the game, Chesterfield FC Community Trust and their Ex-Spires walking football team will be shown this Thursday in The Truth About Exercise: Tonight.

ITV presenter Fiona Foster attended an Ex-Spires session at the Akademy in Dronfield and spoke to some of the players. Among them was 78-year-old Eric Bagshaw, who took up walking football six years ago after being diagnosed with diabetes.

Eric talked on camera about the marked improvement in his health since he has been playing walking football.

”I could feel myself getting stronger each week, and I just kept working at it, just loved it.” He said.
Taking up the story of when he faced a medical examination, Eric adds: ”The doctor came down and he said, ‘Now then Eric, what have you been doing for the last six months’?
”So I said, ‘I’ve joined an exercise club, football’. He says, ‘Brilliant, because what that’s done for you is fantastic. Your diabetes has gone, your blood pressure’s normal, your kidneys, liver and your heart is perfect. You’ve got the body of a 40-year-old man’. Those were his exact words.”

Chesterfield Community Trust’s chief John Croot developed the idea of walking football after the Trust received funding from the Football Foundation for a project called ‘Extra Time’.

He explained: ”It was around 2010/2011 when I went to a presentation before we put the bid in and one of the things said was to look for unusual activities which would be ideal for older people.
”The requirement was for something which would have low injury risk, cardio vascular benefits and help develop friendship groups.
”Coming back I was going through what had been talked about and I thought, ‘Why don’t we play football, but walk it’?
”I’m proud that walking football started here in Chesterfield and it’s great to see that it’s really taken off. As a measure of the interest in it world-wide, I’ve been interviewed about walking football by TV crews from Japan, Holland, Germany and France.”

The Truth About Exercise: Tonight is on this Thursday, February 9, from 7.30pm to 8pm on ITV.

To find out more about walking football visit – https://www.efltrust.com/walkingfootball/

Walking football is also a part of our #2ndHalf campaign. To find out more visit – https://www.efltrust.com/walkingfootball/2ndhalf/

World Cancer Day: We Can. I Can.

4th February 2017/in News /by EFL Trust

World Cancer Day (WCD), a global event that unites the world’s population in the fight against cancer on the 4th February every year, provides a perfect opportunity to recognise the work of Notts County FC Football in the Community’s life changing CARE Programme.

CARE (Cancer and Rehabilitation Exercise) is a physical activity programme for people living with cancer across Nottinghamshire.

The programme is run in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support and is designed for patients at any stage of their treatment or recovery with sessions involving fun, graduated strengthening exercises and a chance to meet and socialise with others who have been through similar experiences.

Kathryn Houghton, a participant of the programme living with breast cancer (triple positive, grade 3) with previous thyroid and skin cancer, joined the scheme in June 2016 having just been through surgery.

At the time of joining the programme, Kathryn was very anxious as she had been through radiotherapy and chemotherapy and had a number of further treatments planned, including surgery. She felt lonely after spending many months ill at home.

After regularly participating in an exercise routine designed by the CARE programme, both her physical and psychological health has been positively impacted.

She said: ”I had to retire and sell my business, so together with changes to my body I felt I had lost my identity and purpose. My body felt unfit and old before its time. I needed something to focus on and goals to set myself with.
”Mentally, living with cancer treatment is extremely hard and I am still up and down emotionally but I can’t sing praises high enough for what the programme has done for me. The sessions release endorphins which help with my pain and neuropathy and I have seen a huge change in what I can achieve.
”Exercise is now an integral part of my life and I can do more than I ever thought I could do. Psychologically I imagine at the end of this long tunnel all my surgery over, being able to cope with the drugs and loading a healthy lifestyle with so many different sports to try out.”

CARE sessions take place at Portland Centre with women’s sessions running on Monday and Saturday 10:00am-11:30am and men’s sessions Tuesday 5:30pm-7pm.

Emma Trent, Health Manager at Notts County FC Football in the Community said: ”The benefit that participants receive from taking part in CARE are life changing.
”Members always leave the programme with a new lease of life and a renewed interest in fitness. We’re dedicated to making sure each individual is successful in reaching their personal goals.”

For more information about Notts County FC Football in the Community and CARE visit – www. nottscountyfitc.org.uk

Every Player Counts: Breaking down barriers

3rd February 2017/in News /by EFL Trust

The Every Player Counts programme formed in September 2016, has significantly changed the lives of people by providing those with a disability a pathway into sport.

Twenty five clubs run the Every Player Counts programme and Wigan Athletic Community Trust are one of those clubs that tailor the programme to the specific needs of their local community.

Wigan Athletic Community Trust have been able to deliver football sessions in the evening at Wigan Youth Zone, specifically targeted at young people with a learning disability.

Rick Read, a participant of the project who is on the Autistic Spectrum, first came into contact with the club at an after school club in West Lancashire. For him to integrate into society, it is a slow and planned process due to his vulnerability.

Ricky has been a regular attendee of the Every Player Counts sessions, playing football weekly and learning new skills in a club where he feels confident and safe.

Before Ricky was introduced to the sessions he informed the trust that all he would do is sit at home watch football or play football video games. He said: ”I didn’t want to go and play for a team because I was scared of being laughed at and being on the subs bench every week.”

Ever since the first week that Ricky attended the session, his confidence has grown massively. For the first few weeks he would only take part for 5 minutes at the end and it would be a challenge for him to walk on the pitch and participate. He would only access the session with the support of his Mum.

After he had made friends and got used to working with the coaches, he started enjoying his football in a relaxed environment and now arrives to sessions early and participates independently without support.

Ricky’s Mum explained: ”The Every Player Counts project has helped Ricky to engage on a weekly basis in a sport he enjoys, building his confidence and self-esteem and reducing his anxiety levels. This involvement will ultimately lead to Ricky being able to participate within the Youth Zone as his confidence grows.”

Ricky’s targets now are to take part in wider Youth Zone sessions such as basketball, badminton and play in some competitive football matches against other Youth Zone teams.

To find out more about Wigan Athletic Community Trust visit – http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/community/

The landmark Every Player Counts project was made possible thanks to a 1.1m donation from the Wembley National Stadium Trust (WNST).

To find out more about Every Player counts visit – https://www.efltrust.com/projects/every-player-counts

Every Player Counts launch in Devon

1st February 2017/in News /by EFL Trust

Exeter City Football in the Community and Argyle Community Trust launched their Every Player Counts programmes in January 2017, with a Mental Health Football Tournament in Plymouth.

As part of the Every Player Counts launch, the current mental health Football sessions at both clubs were invited to Home Park, Plymouth Argyle for a stadium tour, buffet lunch followed by a Football tournament at Goals Soccer Centre, Plymouth.

Josh Grant, Plymouth Argyle Health & Disability Officer commented on the success of the event; “Today was an important day for both Plymouth Argyle and Exeter Community Trust’s – the tournament hosted by Argyle Community Trust saw participants across Plymouth and Exeter enjoy a stadium tour, buffet lunch and football tournament.
“The whole event was very inclusive and provided opportunities for all participants to remain active, be social and grow confidence. Credit to all of the participants for ensuring all of the matches were played in good spirits.”

The Every Player Counts programme, funded by the Wembley National Stadium Trust will develop further opportunities for people with disabilities in Devon.

The funding has enabled Exeter City Football in the Community and Argyle in the Community Trust to fund a disability officer in each club which will enhance their current Disability Football programmes with new specific Downs Syndrome, Amputee, Female, and Mental Health and Deaf Football sessions.

To find out more about the Every Player Counts programme visit – https://www.efltrust.com/projects/every-player-counts/

If you live in Plymouth or Exeter and would like to find out more about Disability Football in your area please find the below contacts:

Argyle in the Community Trust
Josh Grant
Plymouth Argyle Health and Disability Officer
E: [email protected]
T: 01752 562561 ext 4
M: 07961 588378

Exeter City Football in the Community
Will Allan
Exeter City Football in the Community Disability Officer
E: [email protected]
M: 01392 255611

Tackling mental health through football

1st February 2017/in News /by EFL Trust

Swindon Town Football Club Community Trust have been working in conjunction with MIND, a mental health charity providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem, as a part of The Every Player Counts project since September 2016.

STFC Community Trust are just one of many EFL club trusts who offer sessions with MIND, structured to enable participants suffering a mental health issue the opportunity to take part in football coaching sessions, social interaction and physical exercise within a safe environment.

One particular participant, life-long Swindon Town supporter, Ian Tanner, who is diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar, has had the best attendance record missing only one session since September.

Participants of the sessions experience a range of mental health complications, which can have an affect on attendance if they are feeling particularly unwell on the day that they are unable to attend.

Ian had to resign from his employment position due to his diagnosis and acute mental health issues, which consequently caused a great strain on his relationship with his wife, leading to their separation and divorce in 2001.

He now lives alone in Swindon and talks openly about his conditions. Due to the high volume of dosage of medication, Ian in his own words ”continually battles against his weight.”

Ian, who is now 54, tries to engage within as many sporting opportunities as he possibly can and has attended over 90% of the sessions since joining. Sessions include light jogging, coaching drills such as passing, ball control, dribbling, running with the ball, shooting drills and dependant on numbers, invariably finish with a small sided game.

Ian said: ”The sessions really push me and have certainly increased my confidence levels. I feel very positive after I have finished the sessions. I am the eldest in the group and feel very proud that I am able to engage with the others doing the sport I have loved all my life. I work part time in a local café and I really enjoy telling the customers and the people I work with how much I am enjoying the sessions.”
Lorraine Heath, MIND Charity Co-ordinator said: “STFC Community Trust have delivered 10 weeks of constructive, active and enjoyable sessions, enabling many people known to MIND to engage and feel part of something special. The participants have all clearly enjoyed the sessions, and we want to try and increase the attendance and commitment of the participants.”

To find out more about STFC Community Trust visit: http://stfitc.co.uk/

#EveryPlayerCounts

The Every Player Counts project was made possible thanks to a £1.1m donation from the Wembley National Stadium Trust (WNST).

The programme covers a wide range of disabilities with the simple aim of getting more people involved in sport. 25 EFL clubs run The Every Player Counts programmes that are tailored to the specific needs of their local community.

To find out more about Every Player Counts visit: www.efltrust.com/projects/every-player-counts/

Walking football helping heroes in Plymouth

31st January 2017/in News /by EFL Trust

Plymouth Argyle Football Club Community Trust’s successful walking football programme is making a real difference to the lives of men rediscovering their love of the game.

Staged every Monday at the Goals Soccer Centre in Plymouth and with Walking Football also running at two Cornwall centres, this new sport is ideally suited to men over the age of 35 who want to stay fit with the game they love.

Military veteran Tony Wills was introduced to Walking Football through a Help for Heroes scheme and it has proven to be a valuable tool in his battle against a debilitating condition.

“The H4H Walking Football Programme has been very beneficial to me personally as it reintroduced me back into a competitive sport that I’ve always loved but, through injury, wasn’t able to play regularly,” said Tony.

“I’m diagnosed with Complex Post Traumatic Stress disorder with symptoms like flashbacks, memory loss, depression, lack of self worth etc etc. The list goes on but one of the best things to help is exercise, as it gets rid of unwanted aggression and it also helps remind you that you were good at something once.

“Veterans love being part of a team and tend to operate better within that kind of environment, so that is another massive plus for the walking football programme. “The fortnightly sessions introduced me to walking football outside of H4H and under the guidance of Josh and Mickey, who are very approachable and are a credit to the Argyle Community Trust.”

For more information about Walking Football, please contact Health and Disability Officer Josh Grant on [email protected] or call 01752 562561 ext.4

Every Player Counts: Aaron’s story

30th January 2017/in News /by EFL Trust

After taking part in a Sporting Chances disability engagement taster session at Wolves Community Trust (WCT), Aaron has now become a regular attendee at the club having done a weekly placement with WCT since September.

At the start of his placement with Wolves Community Trust, he had very little knowledge or experience of working in a professional environment. His ability to forge relationships was poor and he was very nervous.

WCT then paired Aaron with their Sporting Chances Team Leader, Gavin Jones, who was able to mentor Aaron out on sessions equipping him with the skills to engage participants and how to act professionally when interacting with partners.

Gavin was able to give Aaron training whilst in an office environment. This involved giving him guidance around his conduct in the office, including his interpersonal skills and organisation techniques. At first, Aaron would interrupt staff when on the phone and talk very loud, he would also lose things he had put down in the office and would call a member of staff constantly on the way into his placement to check he was doing the right thing.

Aaron, who also attends Wolverhampton Vocational Training Centre, a unique learning environment that aims to offer students with Special Educational Needs the chance to gain vital employability skills, is now able to organise himself to get to Molineux without needing any support, constantly checks he has everything and his manner in the office is to the standard of any other member of staff. He has become a very popular person around the office interacting with everyone.

Aaron said: ‘’I love coming in and helping Gavin on sessions. I was very nervous and shy in the office but now I love to speak to new people. Doing the placement has inspired me to become a coach like Gavin.’’
Claire Millington, from Wolverhampton Vocational Training Centre said: ‘’Since Aaron has been on work placement at Wolves Community Trust he has developed into a mature young man.
His confidence has grown, when asked to do a task he is able to stay focused and retail the relevant information. He demonstrates a good work ethic, follows instructions and meets deadlines.
He is very keen to better himself. Each week he is keen to inform us of activities he has participated in, and is excited to return to his placement.’’

Sporting Chances work with community groups, schools and disability organisations across the city, delivering a range of activity to a variety of different groups each week.

WCT also run Wolves Sporting Chances FC, who play in the West Midlands Ability Counts League. They currently have teams at U11’s, U16’s and Adult.

To find out more about Wolves Community Trust and Sporting Chances visit: Wolvescommunitytrust.org.uk

#EveryPlayerCounts

The Every Player Counts project was made possible thanks to a £1.1m donation from the Wembley National Stadium Trust (WNST).

The programme covers a wide range of disabilities with the simple aim of getting more people involved in sport. 25 EFL clubs run The Every Player Counts programmes that are tailored to the specific needs of their local community.

To find out more about Every Player Counts visit: www.efltrust.com/projects/every-player-counts/

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