Archive for category: News

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

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/

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/

Newcastle United Foundation has been praised for getting more young people into sport after their Kicks project topped the Sport England ‘sustained’ participation figures table, putting it ahead of 63 other football club charities delivering the same programme.

The ratings show Newcastle United Kicks has the most young people in the country attending ten sessions or more within a four month period, showing a long term commitment to playing football.

The Foundation also came in the top three of the ‘engaged’ list, which recognizes a young person attending a session at least once.

The Foundation’s Kicks project is delivered at 11 venues across Newcastle, Northumberland, Gateshead and North Tyneside 48 weeks of the year. In 2015/16 1918 young people turned up to play football with Foundation Coaches.

The aim is to involve young people in constructive activities, increase playing and coaching opportunities, break down barriers between the police and young people and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in the target area.

Players at Westgate Kicks received a surprise visit from Newcastle United Manager Rafa Benitez and Captain Jamaal Lascelles earlier in the season.

Rafa Benitez, said: “I saw for myself how much of an impact Kicks has in the Community – I can still remember my visit to Westgate very clearly! The Foundation does a great job and this recognition is deserved.  It takes a committed and ambitious team to achieve things like this so well done.”

Helen Richardson, from Blakelaw Ward Committee, said: “Kicks has a huge impact on the young people in communities and provides amazing opportunities for them to develop themselves. High attendance on a regular basis reflects the quality of engagement from the Foundation coaches, we can see the difference this has on our young people in our community and are proud to support it.”

Kicks is funded across the region by the Premier League via Sport England, Newcastle City Council, North Tyneside Council, Postcode Community Trust, Byker Community Trust, Four Housing and Blakelaw Ward Committee.

Newcastle United Foundation Community Project Co-ordinator, Laura Wilson, added: “Newcastle Kicks has grown massively over the years and it is fantastic to see so many young people playing football every week.  From Kicks we can signpost young people on to other Foundation programmes, such as NCS and Employability, which continue to encourage positive life changes over a period of time.”

Kate Bradley, Head of Newcastle United Foundation, commented: “I’m so proud of our team. All the staff and volunteers work very hard to engage young people in the programme and to keep them coming back week after week. I would also like to thank our Partners and Funders for their incredible support, without them we wouldn’t be able to have such an impact across the region.”

Courtney and Nicole Dack, two twins from Newcastle were inspired through Kicks to become role models for young people and inspirational leaders within their community. Watch the video below:

For more information on Newcastle United Foundation email [email protected]

Walking Football, as the name suggests, is a slow-paced version of the beautiful game which is aimed specifically at the over 50’s and is part of our play the #2ndHalf campaign. The game is a great way for the older generation to continue to enjoy sport, stay active and keep fit. 

Accrington Stanley are one of many EFL clubs who run walking football sessions and participants come from all backgrounds of the local community to take part. Sessions are held by Accrington Stanley Community Trust at Hyndburn Leisure Centre every Friday at 1.30pm to 3pm.

Alongside the physical aspects, the sessions also have psychological and social benefits, an impact on improving self-esteem and confidence, as well as forming new friendships.

Walking footballer participant Philip Lewis said: ”It takes me back to my youth as well as giving me social enjoyment while being something that is good for me.”

”I have played football all my life and as time went on there were many younger players to keep up with, walking football has given me the opportunity to play the sport I have loved all my life as well as keeping healthy and meeting new people.” commented Mark Duckett.

The physical benefits of walking football that have been noticed include weight loss, lowered blood pressure, heart rate and better stability.

The club also offers an ‘Up and active’ scheme that runs throughout East Lancashire, providing all participants a free weigh in service so that they can keep track of their weight on a weekly basis. Playing walking football allows those who are recovering from an injury or have mobility issues, who may have shied away from sport keep healthy and active.

‘’With being nearly 70 I’d never thought I could play again, walking football allows me to get routine vigorous exercise and it’s the best form of exercise that works for me as I love the sport and the competitiveness of the sessions.’’ remarked John Omerod.

Football Development Officer, Matt Parkinson, who takes the sessions said: ”It’s great to see the participants go back to their childhoods, you’d never guess that some of them were over 50! From not knowing anyone who attends, to forming a strong bond as a group and the competiveness is as strong as ever.’’

 

For more information please visit www.stanleytrust.co.uk or call 01254 304071.