Project name

Saturday Football Academy for All

Category

Sport and well being

Region

London

Town or Village

Ham

Using local former professional Football players we are hoping to deliver an open to all ‘Saturday Morning Football Academy’ at Ham Playing Fields, Richmond, TW10 7RX. The scheme will run throughout the year(s), offering children and young adults the chance to become physically active in an area identified with high Youth obesity levels, significant deprivation and other community issues.
By using former Pro -players we believe we are able to attract greater interest as well as proven role models and some of the best coaching available from people who have made it to the highest level within the Sport. At the same time the scheme allows the ex-pros to give something back to the community in which they live.
We will provide a proven exit strategy by linking participants with a local Youth Football Club, ensuring that they can continue to play the sport and expand their competitive nature.
The project wants to encourage activity within our community and make use of local resources. We want to demonstrate that sport can be affordable if not free and provide structured activities to local children so they can become physically active, but without the social and economic barriers which all so often serve to hinder and prevent participation. The scheme seeks to provide participants with the ability to learn new skills, interact with others and work towards reducing community issues such as youth crime, antisocial behaviour and obesity in a positive and engaging way.