The Thames Gateway Youth Football Project is a unique partnership involving the government, the private sector and four football clubs: West Ham United, Charlton Athletic, Leyton Orient and Millwall. The project aims to assist the personal development of local young people, both boys and girls, with emphasis on those absent from school and those at risk of offending. The project reaches thousands of young children, providing opportunities for recreation, high quality fitness training and social education across some of the most deprived areas in east London. With continuing success the Thames Gateway Youth Football Project has been able to expand into 8 London boroughs. Our current partners include the Children's Fund (Barking & Dagenham) and New Deal for Communities (West Ham and Plaistow, Newham).
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS:
After-school coaching sessions for both primary and
secondary school students have been set up to combat the trend in
juvenile crime immediately after the end of the school day.
Children are currently benefiting from the programme from many
schools in the boroughs of Newham, Thurrock and Barking and
Dagenham.
FIT FOR LIFE SCHEME:
The Thames Gateway Youth Football Project at West
Ham United works in partnership with the Social and Educational
services, the Criminal justice system and the Local authorities.
Football coaching sessions and social education are provided for
young people who may be absent from mainstream school, involved
with the criminal justice system or at risk of becoming involved.
The focus of this scheme is to engage the young people and to raise
their confidence and self-esteem both for sport and in society. An
academic element can also be offered as part of this scheme. This
involves the West Ham United Study Support Centre and introduces
numeracy, literacy and computer skills within a football
context.
ESTATES PROGRAMME:
Together with agencies that include the Local Authority, the Police
and the Youth Service, local areas with particular problems of
deprivation and crime are identified. This programme provides young
people with access to playing and coaching opportunities in their
local area. Mini-tournaments are regularly organised for the young
people attending these sessions and opportunities exist for young
people to form teams and enter a league.
HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAMME:
This programme offers children the opportunity to learn about
healthy living and also enjoy football coaching from a West Ham
United coach.
A classroom-based session involving a discussion on sports
nutrition, exercise and fitness is followed by structured
coaching/small-sided football matches. The aim of this programme is
to educate children on nutrition and exercise for sport and to
teach skills and techniques of the game in a safe and friendly
environment.
YOUNG WOMEN'S DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
With this project we aim to increase participation in football by young women. It is hoped that this programme will eventually mirror and become as extensive as the estates programme with the development of a girls' only league.
COACH EDUCATION PROGRAMME:
This programme provides young people actively involved with the
project the opportunity to attain Football Association Coaching
Qualifications. These include the Junior Football Organisers Course
and 1st4Sport Levels 1 and 2 Certificates in Coaching Football.
This accreditation for the young people will hopefully lead to
increased employment opportunities. Youth and Community workers and
parents can also be offered the opportunity to obtain these
qualifications in order that they can play a more active role in
the coaching sessions.
Phil Church
Thames Gateway Youth Football Project Manager