News from Stoke-on-Trent

StreetGames Stoke-on-Trent gives Futsal a Go

StreetGames Stoke-on-Trent took eight teams, from a range of age groups and various locations across the city, to the National Futsal Centre in Birmingham on 4 February 2012 for the first ever West Midlands StreetGames Futsal Festival. Teams did themselves proud and were a credit to Stoke-on-Trent with their behaviour and sportsmanship.

Over 400 young people from StreetGames projects from around the West Midlands came together on Saturday 4 February to take part in the region’s inaugural five-a-side Futsal Festival, which took place at the National Futsal Centre in Birmingham.

There were four age categories - under 12’s, under 14’s, under 16’s and under 18’s with StreetGames, Stoke-on-Trent bringing eight teams across three out of the four age groups. There was representation from a variety of areas across Stoke-on-Trent including Tunstall, the Bankeyfields estate, Joiners Square, Norton and Chell, as well as from partners such as Stoke-on-Trent College.

Nearly 50 young people from the city attended the festival, and all of them regular take part in StreetGames sessions. For a number of them, it was the first time that they had tried Futsal but due to the transferable skills used in Football, a couple of the teams actually did very well. The team from Norton managed to get to the under 16’s final and were unlucky to loose out 2-1. The team from Stoke-on-Trent College, who called themselves “Pacey Milan,” managed to get to the under 18’s final and again narrowly lost 1-0.

Pacey Milan

Pacey Milan

Although the Stoke-on-Trent StreetGames project had the furthest to travel out of all the projects that entered teams, it was a credit to the enthusiasm and commitment of the young people in the city that we had the largest number of teams entered. All those who attended thoroughly enjoyed themselves and have said that they really liked their first taste of Futsal with a number wanting Futsal to be seen more often at our regular StreetGames sessions. Hopefully the festival enthused them towards this new sport, having given them an opportunity to try Futsal out in a structured and formal setting.

For further information on the programme please visit StreetGames Stoke-on-Trent on our facebook fan page.

David Hardwick
StreetGames Officer
T: 01782 235001
E: David.hardwick@stoke.gov.uk

SoT City Council and YMCA (Hanley) – Football for All

Football for All is a project which uses football to engage with the current and past residents of YMCA (Hanley). Through consistent participation they have developed individually and as a group overcoming personal and social stresses. Whilst maintaining a Football for All ethos they are striving to challenge themselves further and be a shining example to other young men and women in similar homeless circumstances.

The project set out to address the lack of structured football sessions for the YMCA residents. The majority of participants are homeless due to a varied number of social reasons. It was agreed that each session would consist of a warm up, skill development, and small sided game whilst focusing on communication, team work, respect and team structure.

The following barriers to participation were:

Cost
Transport
Venue
Cost of qualified staff
Strategic guidance
Conflict between park users

The YMCA (Hanley) provides housing for residents who are mainly male aged between 16 and 30. Through a Sportivate partnership (Stoke-on-Trent City Council - Engage & YMCA) it was agreed to commence evening football coaching once a week for anyone with an interest in football. To overcome three main barriers (cost, transport and venue) it was agreed to use the neighbouring park’s community use astro turf pitch (ATP). The park ATP is actively used by the local community including ethnic groups from a wide range of nationalities. The pitch has not traditionally been accessed by the YMCA residents as a minority of them have struggled to relax in such diverse company and social tensions have sometimes run high.

Delivery and Outcomes

Each session attracted a variety of participants with a wide range of ability, attitudes, individual skills and personal issues.

During the programme attendance levels rose to a high of 22 participants with the number of weekly attendees gradually settling at approximately 14. Throughout the sessions the group dynamics and outlook have gradually changed, the group was initially formed to allow anyone from the YMCA to play but participants gradually began to crave a more competitive element while maintaining an all-inclusive philosophy. This was resolved when the group organised themselves by electing a captain and two vice captains and developed further by arranging a series of friendly match’s against the Salvation Army (Hanley). The results were two wins (19-14 & 5-2) and one loss (1-17). The matches were a great success as both teams not only played football but also bonded off the field. They have also arranged a second training session on a Sunday afternoon which they govern themselves.

YMCA Football Stoke

YMCA Football Stoke

The journey so far has taken a committed group of young men who have persevered with problems to offer, anyone who wishes, the chance to take part in a fun and all inclusive football session.

The Future:

The future for the YMCA football group is to complete the following:

Establishing a team name, constitution and club roles and responsibilities
Funding for training, kit etc
Co-coordinating and participating in a local small sided football inclusion league using the local park and their own ATP

More Information:

Partnership: YMCA (Hanley) and Stoke-on-Trent City Council Sports Development

Venue: Hanley Park Astro Turf Pitch

Time: 6-7 p.m.

Day: Wednesday

For more information regarding Sportivate (Stoke-on-Trent City Council) or the YMCA football group please contact:

Leslie Eyre (S.o.T City Council) 01782-236930

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