News Story Date : 07 December, 2009

Social Academy Launches In Manchester

The Big Issue in the North and the Team England Footballers Charity have joined forces to launch a Social Academy for young adults in Manchester who are homeless, ex-offenders, or have experience of drug and/or alcohol problems.

England and Manchester City midfielder, Gareth Barry, turned up at the Manchester College in Ardwick on Tuesday 24th November to surprise participants taking part in the ten-week sport and education programme that will work with twenty young adults from hostels and other appropriate agencies across the city.

Following a decision by the England players to set up their own charitable trust - the Team England Footballers Charity – the squad joined forces with Sport England to set up a nationwide Outreach Programme improve opportunities for disadvantaged children and young adults. Football-led projects across the country engage some of the hardest hit communities worst affected by deprivations to include poor housing, health, education, disability, high incidences of crime, racial and drug abuse.

Gareth Barry, who today visited the project said, “The players are proud to support the Social Academy, it’s one of 28 projects our charity is currently supporting. By working together with Sport England we can provide a much needed outlet for disadvantaged young people in the Manchester community and help tackle a variety of social issues. Participants will have the chance to better themselves through football, whether purely participating in activities or gaining qualifications.”

The footballing element of the programme will consist of weekly training sessions. As well as improving participant’s fitness levels, people taking part in the academy will be able to try for their FA Level 1 Club Coaching badge, which will include basic emergency First Aid and Child Protection training.

The educational element of the programme has been developed, and will be delivered, by The Manchester College’s Department of Sport and Recreation. Participants will learn ’Key Skills’, such as literacy, numeracy and ICT skills, that are commonly needed for success in a range of everyday activities including education, training and employment, through an accredited NCFE Level 1 in Employment Skills.

Richard Brown, from The Big Issue in the North said, “We have been providing football activities for a number of years with the England Homeless World Cup and have seen the fantastic benefits for the individuals we work with. The Social Academy builds on this by providing a structured education element on top of the football, and without the assistance of TEFC, we would struggle to offer this opportunity.”

Peter Tavernor, principal of The Manchester College said, “This initiative meets The Manchester College’s inclusive admissions strategy to provide all members of the community with accessible, engaging and innovative curriculum. We are delighted to welcome an elite sportsperson to not only take part in the launch of this project, but also to see the fantastic sports facilities we have here for our students.”

Thomas Godfrey, Sport England’s Commercial Director, said:

“Playing sport, and being part of a team when you’re young, can have a hugely positive impact on people’s lives - whatever their background or sporting ability. We are supporting the ‘Social Academy’ because its programmes such as this which can motivate young people and kick start the beginning of life-long sporting habits.”
The Team England Footballers Charity is also using the players’ investment and time to support chosen charity partners including Children’s Hospices UK; WellChild; the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK and the Professional Footballers Association Charity Initiatives.