OVER 100 CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES ENJOY WIGAN’S EVERY PLAYER COUNTS FOOTBALL FESTIVAL

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Young people with disabilities from nine Wigan Borough schools recently competed in the annual Every Player Counts football festival at Wigan Soccerdome.

Hosted by Wigan Athletic Community Trust, the event saw more than 100 children from schools including Atherton Community High School, Dean Trust, Hawkley Hall, Hope, Oakfield, St John Fisher, St Peter’s, Standish and Shevington in attendance at the third year of the festival.

 

Launched in Wigan by first team stars Will Grigg and Michael Jacobs in 2016, the festival aimed to improve the skills and techniques of participants through a number of inclusive activities before taking part in a football tournament.

The Every Player Counts programme is funded by the Wembley National Stadium Trust and administered by the EFL Trust, and aims to get more people with disabilities involved in sport.

Sean Rowlinson, Sports Coach at Wigan Athletic Community Trust, said: “This event continues to go from strength to strength with more and more young people involved each time. The festival this year was a real success and was well received by both participants and schools.  Every Player Counts scheme has seen us work with more than 600 people with disabilities in Wigan, giving them the opportunity to play football and sport, but more importantly helping them to improve their development and confidence, as well as meeting new people.”

The Community Trust engage with schools and colleges across the borough on a weekly basis as part of the programme, and work with the club’s junior and adult disability football teams who compete in the Greater Manchester Ability Counts League.

 

FOOTBALL FESTIVAL BRINGS WIGAN COMMUNITIES TOGETHER

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19 teams from different communities across the Wigan competed against each other in the Together Cup before the Latics game against West Bromwich Albion last weekend.

Organised for a second consecutive year by Wigan Athletic Community Trust, Wigan Council and Inspiring healthy lifestyles, more than 80 people took part in the event at Robin Park Arena, which aimed to bring under-represented communities across Wigan together.

Supported by Kick It Out, teams included Leigh Asylum Seeker and Refugee Support (LASARS), Support for Wigan Arrivals (SWAP), The Brick, Addaction, Football 4 Forces, Every Player Counts, Leigh Youth Voice Group, RECLAIM project, Hindley Kicks, Global Friends, Place 2 Place, Wigan Mosque, Wigan Youth Zone, Wigan Council, West Bromwich Albion Kicks and Derby County.  Tom Flower, Head of Community at Wigan Athletic Community Trust said:

“The event was brilliant because not only did it bring communities together, it gave them all an opportunity to meet new people and make new friends, while also having the chance to play competitive football next to the DW Stadium.”

Participants were invited to Latics’ home fixture against the Baggies later that afternoon, a game which saw Paul Cook’s side pick up three points thanks to Josh Windass’ second half strike. Councillor Chris Ready, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Neighbourhoods at Wigan Council, said: “The tournament was all about building positive community relations through football, bringing people together and encouraging respect for each other, it was a superb event. He added:

 “There were people involved who originally came from countries all over the world and everyone had smiles on their faces. October is black history month so it’s an appropriate time to provide opportunities to work together to build stronger communities across Wigan.”

Winners of the adult tournament were Leigh Asylum Seeker and Refugee Support, while successful in the junior section were Hindley Kicks.

Giulia Kelemen, 12, originally from Romania but now living in Leigh, said:

“It was hard work but really fun. We started off as strangers but made new friends because it was all about teamwork, so it showed we all have lots of similarities and should all be equal.”

For more information about Wigan Athletic Community Trust’s Community Development programmes, please email Steve Eastwood on [email protected] or call 01942 318090.

 

 

 

 

JOB VACANCIES: NCS Performance Management Partner x 2

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Post Title: NCS Performance Management Partner x2

Role Status: Full time (35 hours), Permanent.

Organisational Base – 1st Role: Home Based – Managing the South East Region (Portsmouth, Southampton, Isle of Wight, Crawley)

Organisational Base – 2nd Role:Office Based – EFL House, 10 – 12 West Cliff, Preston PR1 8HU – Managing the North West Region.

Reporting To: Operations Manager (Community Engagement)

Salary: £27,000 to £33,000 + Benefits package

Formed in 1888 by its twelve founder members, the EFL (English Football League) is the world’s original league football competition and is the template for leagues the world over. It has 72 member clubs, each of which embodies the unique heritage, pride and passion of the communities they represent. The EFL is the largest single body of professional clubs in European football and is responsible for administering and regulating the EFL, the Carabao Cup and the Checkatrade Trophy, as well as reserve and youth football.

EFL Trust is the official charity of the EFL and uses the power of sport to improve lives and make a positive contribution to 72 communities across the country.

The Trust draws together each of the 72 EFL Club Trusts to tackle society’s greater goals by inspiring people through powerful projects built upon a foundation of four key themes of sport, education, community engagement and health.

Key projects are delivered by the dedicated network of community trusts associated to the 72 EFL clubs, one of those programmes is the National Citizen Service (NCS) programme.  NCS is a government funded national programme for 16 and 17 year olds designed to help young people on their transition to adulthood and the roles they can play in their community.

EFL Trust hold a prime contract for delivery of the NCS Programme in Yorkshire and Humber, as well as 7 regional sub-contracts across various regions in England.  2 vacancies exist for experienced Project and Performance Managers to work in the in the South East and the North West sub-contracting regions.

The Candidate

You will be given the autonomy to steer and influence the success of the regions NCS performance.  You must have the ability to build strong an effective relationships and the confidence to challenge when appropriate.  You will have self discipline to mange your own workload and focus priorities.  You will have experience in a similar role managing the performance of contractors using qualitative and quantitative measures.

You will have the support of an experience and supportive team in an organisation which values people.

Regular travel is a feature of both roles and occasional evening and weekend working including some overnight stays.

Benefits Package:

  • Generous Company Pension Scheme, with an EFL Trust contribution of 10% of basic salary.
  • Opt-in private healthcare.
  • 23 days holiday (plus 8 bank holidays), rising to 25 days after 5 years. Holiday year commences 1st (Holiday purchase scheme in operation).

For an informal chat please email in the first instance, [email protected]  EFL Trust Business Manager.

To apply please request an Application Form from Jessica Dexter, HR & Payroll Officer at [email protected].

Closing Date: Friday 9th November at 5pm.

Interview Date(s): Role 1  – 20th November 2018 – 55 Blandford Street, London W1U 7HW

                                      Role 2 – 21st November 2018 – EFL House, 10 – 12 West Cliff, Preston PR1 8HU

 

Candidates must be available for interview on the respective dates.

Blackburn’s successful EuroFIT healthy lifestyle programme set to relaunch this month

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Following the level of success achieved during its previous incarnation, Blackburn Rovers Community Trust can reveal that the EuroFIT (European Fans in Training) programme is set to be relaunched within the next month.

The 12-week healthy lifestyle initiative, which is catered for men aged 30-65, first ran from February this year and proved a huge success. On average, the group lost an astonishing 20.9kg in weight, along with 28cm of their waist measurements.

EuroFIT is a unique scheme which provides a series of health and nutrition activities for men looking to improve their lifestyle within Blackburn and its surrounding areas.

The course will revolve around specifically designed two hour sessions, which will take place at the Blackburn Rovers Indoor Centre, Nuttall Street, Blackburn, BB2, 4JF.

These sessions, which cost just £3 per person, will involve a series of education workshops and sporting activities in a bid to improve the group’s knowledge of diet and nutrition, lifestyle choices, and weight/waist measurements.

And whilst the aim of EuroFIT is to increase the level of physical activity each participant endures, former attendee Mike Graham believes the programme can also have a massive affect on one’s social life.

He said: “I set up two groups [Facebook and Whatsapp], so we can all communicate and encourage each other to keep active and lose weight. We compete against each other and use that as motivation to see who would do the most steps in one day, for example.

“We have now booked a regular weekly spot at the Indoor Centre to play football and it is helping to keep everyone active.”

Programme leader, Ilyas Patel, said: “The success from last year’s programme was massive. People like Mike who came on board are all now good friends, it’s great to see.

“They want to keep their healthy lifestyle and whilst it isn’t specifically a weight loss programme, we saw everyone lose weight.”

An open evening for the programme will be held in the Darwen End at Ewood Park on Monday 29th October, with further details to be announced in due course.

The evening will involve participants attending an introductory session, completing paperwork, and having their height, weight and BMI (body mass index) measured.

To register your interest for EuroFIT, please click here. For any further information contact Ilyas Patel on 01254 508256, or by email at: [email protected].

JOB VACANCY: Governance and Contracts Officer

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Post title: Governance and Contracts Officer

Role status: Full time 35 Hours per week – to be worked 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Organisational base: EFL House, 10 – 12 West Cliff, Preston PR1 8HU

Special requirements of the role: Some travel and evening work may be required from time to time.

Reporting to: Head of Governance.

Salary: £21,000 to £27,000

Formed in 1888 by its twelve founder members, the English Football League is the world’s original league football competition and is the template for leagues the world over. With 72 member clubs, it is also the largest single body of professional clubs in European football and is responsible for administering and regulating the Sky Bet EFL, Carabao Cup and Checkatrade Trophy, as well as reserve and youth football.

EFL Trust is the charitable arm of the EFL and oversees the inspiring work of the 72 EFL clubs’ community organisations (CCOs), which engages with more than 1.5million people every season. The key themes of the EFL Trust are Sport, Education, Health and Community Engagement.

The EFL Trust business team is looking for a bright and articulate commercial law, governance or business graduate who can support EFL Trust with contract administration and coordinate the governance activities of the 72 CCOs and its own governance practices. The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal and team work skills with the ability to clearly and effectively communicate with colleagues, professional services and external partners. An understanding of governance and contract terms are required, either through practical or theoretical experience.

The successful candidate will be a member of an effective and supportive team in an organisation which is ambitious for growth and development.

The role is based in modern, purpose built offices with private parking in the Centre of Preston. The office is 5 minute walk from the Preston Rail Station.

Reward package:
• Generous Company Pension Scheme. EFL Trust will contribute 10% of monthly salary to a company pension scheme.
• Opt-in private healthcare.
• 23 days holiday (plus 8 bank holidays), rising to 25 days after 5 years. Holiday year commences 1st January. Holiday purchase scheme in operation.

Immediate start available.

To apply please request an Application Form from Jessica Dexter, HR & Payroll Officer at [email protected].

Closing Date: 10am Monday 29th October 2018
Interview Date(s): 6th November 2018 (candidates must be available for interview on this date)
Interview Location: EFL House, 10 – 12 West Cliff, Preston, PR1 8HU

‘It was a dream come true for the participants to play alongside their idols.’

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Brewers winger David Templeton and young goalkeeper Jack Livesey were out in the local community this week, showing their support for a Powerchair Football session ran in partnership with Burton Albion Community Trust.

Powerchair football is a unique sport that provides opportunities for people with a high level of impairment to access the game of football. It is the only active team participation sport for people who use electric wheelchairs.

The Scottish duo joined in with the St George’s Knights Burton Albion Chariots training session, who currently play in the open aged West Midlands Powerchair Premiership Regional League.

During their visit, they got the chance to experience what it was like to play football in a powerchair, whilst also learning more information about the rules of the session and the conditions that the participants live with.

The side, who train on Wednesday evenings from 6pm-7pm at the Meadowside Leisure Centre, is ran by volunteers from the Staffordshire area, working in partnership with coaches from Burton Albion Community Trust.

Their most recent result was an impressive 5-1 victory over Manchester United’s PFC team, last Sunday afternoon.

Adam Lawrence, Community Coach at BACT, said: “It was such a fantastic experience for everyone involved. Both the players showed a great amount of interest in the session and got really involved.

“We’ve got a couple of really big Burton fans who attend the session and it was a dream come true for them to get to play the sport that they love, alongside their idols that they watch week in, week out.

“Even those who aren’t from the area and travel in from as far as Newcastle-Under-Lyme, are starting to show a real interest in the club now, so appearances like this are invaluable to what we are trying to do as a whole.”

For more information on the sessions, which includes development training for beginners, please call the St George’s Knights Chairman, Jason Christer on: 07805944462.

JOB VACANCY: Health Officer at Blackpool FC Community Trust

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Would you like the opportunity to work for a thriving charity, based in Blackpool supporting children aged 1 -4 years and their families?

Blackpool FC Community Trust is a close knit team that employs more than 60 local people to support the local community to improve their lives through physical activity, health and wellbeing, education and employability programmes.

In the 2017-2018 season, the Community Trust worked with 20,329 different people across the town, whilst delivering 9503 sessions.

This fantastic opportunity will deliver a range of opportunities to support early ages to increase their involvement in regular physical activity, whilst supporting the full family with positive health messages.

The post holder will work closely with Blackpool Better Start, to work in the seven most needed areas in the town to support, enthuse and inspire the local families to engage in positive, regular health related workshops and activities.

To find out more about the role visit: http://www.blackpoolfccommunitytrust.co.uk/get-involved/vacancies/

‘Being involved at Swindon Town Football in the Community has been pivotal in my recovery from mental health problems.’

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Injury is one of the most difficult things a professional footballer is likely to endure in their career and anxiety can arise from concerns that the injury heralds the decline or even the end of a life-long dream. 

A career ending challenge is all that it takes.

Stephen Holmes, Lead Coach at Swindon Town Football in the Community had to suffer that very heartache.

In 1987, as a teenager from London, Stephen had achieved his life-long dream after signing a two-year contract at Blackburn Rovers. He played in the club’s youth and reserve team before moving on to Enfield, Marlow and Whitney Town.

In 1994, at the age of 24, an event that lasted just a few seconds on a football pitch, changed his life.  A badly mistimed two footed tackle that broke Stephen’s leg put an end to his promising football career.

He said: “To put it into words, it was pure devastation. “For a year and a half I tried but there was no way back. My mind was still sharp, but physically I just couldn’t keep up.”

Unable to play the sport that was undeniably his life, he became mentally ill and was later diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1999.

He added: “I was very depressed and admitted to a psychiatric hospital twice. “I think, I believe and I know what happened to me as a player had a detrimental impact on my mental health.”

When Stephen started helping out at Swindon Town Football in the Community, his life took a turn for the better.

“It was a pivotal point in my life when Clive Maguire and Jon Holloway employed me as a volunteer coach at Swindon Town Football in the Community. They employed me in 1997 when I was very unwell and the fact they did that despite what I was going through reduces any stigma or discrimination.

“A lot of people if they didn’t understand mental health would run away from it or brush it under the carpet but Clive and Jon were very empathetic towards my situation.”

In 2001, Stephen made a full recovery and in 2016 became a Lead Coach on Swindon Town Football in the Community’s Mental Health programme.

Last month his hard work and dedication to the programme was recognised as he was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM).

Speaking about his BEM, Stephen said: “I’m very humble and grateful to receive the award. I have no idea who nominated me but I want to thank them so much for believing in me. It’s incredibly fulfilling to help others and being a part of something special and unique where there is acceptance and understanding.”

The Mental Health programme which was established in 2016 through funding from Wembley National Stadium Trust (WNST) and EFL Trust, promotes positivity and well-being for participants.

Clive Maguire, Senior Football Development Officer at STFITC said: “The Mental Health sessions have enabled people to have a sense of belonging which has also created an infrastructure of support and friendships amongst players.

“We started with 4 participants back in 2016 and now currently have 43 participants on the register.

“Stephen has been pivotal to the success of the initiative thus far. He is not only the Coach but the support and compassion he offers the individual participants goes way beyond the call of duty.

“He is an absolute inspiration and an amazing example of someone who has overcome huge barriers in his life and gone on to help others who have daily issues and problems.”

Mind

Mind are the official charity partner of EFL. With over 21 million fans attending EFL matches each season (and 55 million watching on TV), this partnership is a brilliant opportunity for us to promote awareness and understanding of mental health amongst football fans, and to help more people living with mental health problems access the support they need.

Together we are harnessing the power of football to raise awareness of mental health, improve the approach to mental health in sport and raise funds to deliver life changing national and local support.

www.Mind.org.uk/OnYourSide

Text FOOTBALL to 70660 to donate £3 to Mind, and help make sure no one has to face a mental health problem alone.

Bristol Rovers’ ‘Recovery Through Sport’ making an impact

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Bristol Rovers’ ‘Recovery Through Sport’ is an innovative programme that aims to harness the power of sport to improve people’s physical and mental wellbeing.

It is open to any adults whether they want to get some exercise, build social networks, gain confidence in being around people or just help improve their general wellbeing.

One participant on the programme said: “Before joining the group I struggled getting out of the house and especially meeting people, but now I feel confident to talk to new people and socialise with others.

“As well as going to the weekly group, we also gained the opportunity to watch a Bristol Rovers match and walk out on the pitch in front of the crowd which was a brilliant experience.

“I’ve found that going to the football group and then standing in front of the Bristol Rovers fans has really helped build my self-confidence as well as improving my physical and mental wellbeing.”

Watch the video below to find out more:

Mind

Mind are the official charity partner of EFL. With over 21 million fans attending EFL matches each season (and 55 million watching on TV), this partnership is a brilliant opportunity for us to promote awareness and understanding of mental health amongst football fans, and to help more people living with mental health problems access the support they need.

Together we are harnessing the power of football to raise awareness of mental health, improve the approach to mental health in sport and raise funds to deliver life changing national and local support.

www.Mind.org.uk/OnYourSide

Text FOOTBALL to 70660 to donate £3 to Mind, and help make sure no one has to face a mental health problem alone.

Jay’s story: ‘I can’t thank Brentford FC Community Sports Trust enough for the support and career pathway they have given me.’

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Jay Reza, Finance Officer for Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, believes the support he has received from the Bees has been crucial in helping him to overcome depression.

After finishing College at 18 and due to his interest in football, Jay decided to do an apprenticeship with the Trust, with his preference being to gain real life work experience while studying.

It would be a move that would prove life-changing for the 22-year-old.

He said:

“It was fantastic doing the apprenticeship as it gave me the opportunity to specialise in my dream job in finance while also dipping my toes into other areas such as media and marketing.

Through training provided by the Trust, he became a qualified AAT Accountant and was offered a full-time position as Finance Officer.

From day one the staff at Brentford have given me the freedom to express myself and a platform to move up the career ladder.

“This is my first full-time job and I’m really enjoying it, particularly the fundraising part and helping young people to work within a safe and comfortable environment.”

Despite his stellar achievements, it hasn’t always been a smooth journey for Jay having suffered with depression. Discussing his experience of the illness, he said:

“Depression was nothing to do with my job, it was something that just happened at the time. I didn’t really understand what was going on. It was just a sinking feeling where I felt trapped and as if I was going in a downward spiral.”

According to Mind, the EFL’s new official charity partner, approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year, with Jay describing the support offered to him by Brentford FC Community Sports Trust as vital in helping him to get back on his feet.

“My line manager Jacky noticed that I seemed different to my usual self and spoke to me about it, she encouraged me to see a doctor. The staff were really understanding and gave me time to go to therapy regularly as well as managing the pressure on me during busier times at work.

“I’ll forever be grateful for the support they have given me. It helped me to understand what was going on and believe that it really does get better.”

Looking to the future, Jay hopes to develop his career with the Trust even further.

“I am hoping to get my Chartered Accountant qualification next, which would help to put me on the highest position I can be in accountancy. “I always try and look towards the next goal. Brentford FC Community Sports Trust have been absolutely fantastic in supporting that.”

Mind

Mind are the official charity partner of EFL. With over 21 million fans attending EFL matches each season (and 55 million watching on TV), this partnership is a brilliant opportunity for us to promote awareness and understanding of mental health amongst football fans, and to help more people living with mental health problems access the support they need.

Together we are harnessing the power of football to raise awareness of mental health, improve the approach to mental health in sport and raise funds to deliver life changing national and local support.

www.Mind.org.uk/OnYourSide

Text FOOTBALL to 70660 to donate £3 to Mind, and help make sure no one has to face a mental health problem alone.