Case Studies

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Football for All - Stoke

Angling

 

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 Football For All!

Stoke on Trent City Council and YMCA (Hanley)

 

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

Venue: Hanley Park Astro Turf Pitch

Time: 6-7 p.m.

Day: Wednesday

 

 

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;

 

o        Cost

o        Transport

o        Venue

o        Cost of qualified staff

o        Strategic guidance

o        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. It was common during the early stages to refuse a minority of those wishing to join in access to the court due to signs of their being under the influence of banned substances.  This brought a lot of unwanted strain to the session but through the partnership with the YMCA and peer pressure this was quickly resolved resulting in full participation by all who attended over the following weeks.     

 

Participants are mainly YMCA residents with a handful being ex YMCA residents who had been allowed to attend after agreeing to observe the YMCA’s ethos around attitude and behaviour. However the skills of the coaching staff and patience of the whole group was severely tested by three individuals who consistently exhibited violent verbal outbursts, physical intimidation and verbal manipulation. One of the individuals had recently avoided a prison sentence through the police curfew tag scheme and had to vacate the session immediately once it ended to ensure they were home on time for their curfew. Unfortunately two of the individuals were asked to leave the group during the programme as their behaviour had became too much of a detriment to the remainder of participants.

  

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.

 

The journey so far has taken a committed group of young men who have persevered with internal pressures from aggressive and disrespectful attendees, venue problems and their own change in long term goals to continue to attend and 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;

 

o        Establishing a team name, constitution and club roles and responsibilities 

o        Funding for training, kit etc

o        Co-coordinating and participating in a local small sided football inclusion league using the local park and their own ATP  

 

More Information:

 

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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Stafford Sports College, ‘Sportivate’ Angling Programme

 

Thirteen young people from Stafford Sports College aged 15yrs to 16yrs participated in a ‘Sportivate’ Angling Course organised by Chase Aqua Rural Enterprise (CARE) CIC. The course, run by ADB (Angling Development Board) licensed, qualified Level 2 and Level 1 angling coaches took place at Carney Pools, near Rugeley over several ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ sessions totalling during September and October 2011. The programme was funded by the Sport England ‘Sportivate’ initiative managed by Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent.

 

At the start of each session Health and Safety issues were discussed with the participants and a code of behaviour agreed. They followed the A.C.E Awards which is a new coaching programme developed by the ADB to provide a progressive syllabus of angling skills to help young anglers learn and enjoy fishing. The final session on the 10^th October concluded with tying knots, a quiz to test participants’ knowledge and presentation of the A.C.E Angling Award certificates.

 

  

 

All thirteen young people successfully completed the first level -‘Activate’ - award. In order to sustain their interest in angling exit strategies include links with local clubs, in particular Staffordshire Youth Anglers (SYA) who Chase Aqua Rural Enterprise work closely with. Local fishing venues were recommended and advice given on obtaining further awards to increase their competence and knowledge base. Several participants have requested information and application forms for SYA. The club has seen its membership expand rapidly during the last four years and is run by young people for young people with the support of dedicated parents and voluntary coaches.

 

Activate is aimed at new or inexperienced anglers and is designed to be assessed after a few practical sessions. With some support from a coach a young angler can confidently set up their tackle, identify fish species and recognise where to fish, put the correct bait onto the hook and catch the target species, then land, unhook and safely return the fish to the water.

  

An important ethos subscribed to by Chase Aqua Rural Enterprise is not only the enjoyment of angling but the wider benefits of physical and mental health and well-being that it provides. The coaches not only teach and share their love of the sport but act as role models setting high standards for behaviour and safety. With younger children in particular the emphasis is on having fun in a safe, friendly environment and making the sessions interactive, hands-on and varied. Games and fun competitions are used where appropriate to enhance learning. Children and young people are actively encouraged and given positive support that engenders self-belief, raises self-esteem and improves confidence.

 

 

Fishing is one of the most popular participatory sports and its strength lies in the fact that you never stop learning. Often perceived as an individual sport it is best enjoyed with other anglers fostering team work and friendship. Participants help each other to land fish, take photographs of their catches and sort out tangled lines. It is also a great, healthy way to enjoy the great outdoors in the company of others, whether family or friends.

 

Some of the young people on this course already fish with their grandparents who gave them rods and tackle that they brought along to the course. Others enjoyed trying fishing for the first time. It is also a great way to unwind, recharge and escape the pressures of everyday life in idyllic settings that brings you close to nature and the many healthy benefits of being outside in a tranquil environment. It teaches respect and regard for the countryside, flora and fauna.

 

Some participants had never handled fish before and were amazed by the variety of beautiful colours, patterns, texture and shapes from the slippery, golden tench to the handsomely striped, roughly textured perch.  

 

  

  

             

Fishing promotes patience and concentration. It is open to everyone and the group from Stafford Sports College comprised both boys and girls. Not only is it popular with the young but the elderly as well, and is easily accessible to disabled anglers.

  

Tel: 07814 237211

       07772 273033

Email: info@chaseaquaruralenterprise.com

www.chaseaquaruralenterprise.com

 

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