Project
Football in the Community (London)
Grant amount
£199,866
website
www.osmanitrust.org
project summary
The Football In The Community (FITC) Project provides six main areas of work:
1. school based coaching
2. youth team football
3. girls football
4. coach education
5. disability football
6. community events
Through these initiative we provided the BAME (Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic) communities living in Tower Hamlets the opportunity to access and participate in structured football as well as provide training and volunteering opportunities.
what was the grant spent on?
The grant we received has been spent on recruiting a Football Development Manager to develop the project and a part-time Football Coach, who focuses on developing school based coaching and youth teams. We now have four open age men’s teams and three youth teams all playing in regional leagues, which have all done extremely well in their respected leagues.
The school based coaching programme has been oversubscribed by schools wanting lunch time and after school coaching, on average we have seven school based coaching sessions per week with more than 150 young people participating. Incorporated within the schools based sessions are workshops on healthy eating and lifestyle as well as awareness of racism and discrimination in sports. The coaching provision and workshops are all planned with the National Curriculum and the Every Child Matters framework in mind.
We have provided girls only football sessions as well as exit routes to regional and international tournaments. The FITC believes strongly in volunteering and the development of individuals and the capacity of other local organisations/clubs.
Throughout the year we hold a range of accredited training ranging from FA Level 1 Course to Referee Course to Community Sports Leaders Awards. The FITC projects is a grassroots led project, during the course of the year we hold various community events, the main two events are the Tower Hamlets Community Cup and the One Game One Community Festival during the Kick It Out Week of Action, both tournaments have become brand names across the UK.
What are the long term benefits of the project on the community?
The FITC project has become a vital part of the local community in Tower Hamlets, it has been recognised through local, regional and European awards for its service provisions. The project provides local young people and adults with the opportunity to participate in football on many platforms not just through play. Our football teams provide a positive way of directing the energy and time of young people, both during the school term and holidays. One of the most significant benefits of the project has been developing girls football, although we do not take part in mainstream leagues the girls regularly attend the Saturday sessions to enjoy coaching and matches. For many of the young people, if the FITC project did not exist then they would most likely not be involved in football, more importantly they would likely be using their time and energy in negative pursuits such as antisocial behaviour.
Tell us about the positive affect on individuals
Bilal Awan, now a member of the open age team said the project has helped him personally and in his football, "I have had two knee operations over last two years which could have potentially prevented me from playing football ever again. With the support of the Football In The Community Project I am back playing football once more and most of all enjoy playing again, this has been made possible through not only the great coaching but also advice and guidance I recieved from the coaches."
How has the Foundation's funding made a significant positive difference?
Last year (2009) we reached out to more than 900 unique individuals through the FITC project, 90% coming from the BAME communities.
quotes
Name: Abu Mumin
Position: Senior Manager, Osmani Trust
"The Football In The Community project has over the years gone from strength to strength, it has also played a vital role in the overall aims of Osmani Trust. It is especially encouraging to see the development of girls football as often they are under represented."
Name: David Joseph
Position: Manager of Poplar Crew
"I would like to thank Osmani Trust's Football In The Community project for putting on such a great event for the kids, (Tower Hamlets Community Cup), not only have they enjoyed the football but more importantly learned new life skills and made friends with people they live with."
