Ocean Estate Bengali Women's Project

Based in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, the Asians in Football Project encourages young Asians to participate in grassroots football, and provides pathways to excellence for this under-represented minority.

This year, in partnership with the Ocean New Deal for Communities, a new scheme has been established targeting Bengali Females, widely regarded as one of the hardest to reach groups in the borough.

The Bengali Women's Project is a capacity building scheme designed to increase female participation, by mentoring local residents to become positive role models in leadership positions within their own community. The Project combines a structured programme focussing on developing generic coaching skills and sports specific techniques, leading to a flexible accreditation scheme tailored to suit individual needs.

Following initial training, consisting of physical activity sessions designed to raise confidence within a group setting, candidates complete two accredited Level 1 coaching qualifications - One in Football, and one in the sport of the their choice. This is followed three months later with a Level 2 in either football or their chosen sport.

Thanks to this approach, not only will the Asians in Football Project be able to offer a wider range of activities, but it will empower the graduates to take a lead within their local community and inspire future generations of young Bengali females to follow them.