Project
Getting ready for the Games and Beyond
Grant amount
£250,000
website
www.londonyouth.org.uk
project summary
Getting Ready for the Games and Beyond is London Youth’s sports development programme; increasing the number of typically inactive young people playing sport and building the long term capacity of community based youth organisations to deliver diverse and accessible sports programmes. We aim to exploit the hopes and opportunities of London 2012 in order to encourage and enable all young Londoners to participate in and develop a lifelong love of sport and healthy activities, raising levels of personal and social health, confidence and wellbeing.
what was the grant spent on?
The grant was spent on providing taster sessions in 10 sports; athletics, football, basketball, indoor rowing, non contact boxing, parkour, street dance, table tennis, cage cricket and tag rugby. Young people, volunteers and youth workers can have access to free national governing training courses. 60 youth clubs also received coaching resource packs and free equipment.
What are the long term benefits of the project on the community?
Through the 'Getting Ready' training programme, we aim to leave a legacy of multi sports coaches within our 60 community based organisations. These multi sports coaches can continue to provide multi sports programmes to their respective community organisations.
Tell us about the positive affect on individuals
At the Vallance Community Sports Association in Tower Hamlets Hamidul Islam, 18 years old, gained his football coaching qualification and then went on to volunteer within his club. His experience in leading sports sessions has led him to pursue a career as a PE teacher. Within his local community, he is now considered an inspiration to young people.
How has the Foundation's funding made a significant positive difference?
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2,730 young people have attended taster sessions delivered in partnership with National Governing Bodies.
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2,547 young people have attended six week sports programmes in 'Getting Ready' sports.
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60 youth clubs have been provided with sports equipment and resource packs.
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93% of young people taking part in 'Getting Ready' taster sessions progress onto six week sports programmes, demonstrating young people’s sustained engagement in sport.
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222 youth workers and young leaders have gained National Governing Body qualifications in; football, indoor rowing, non contact boxing, tag rugby, street dance, table tennis, cage cricket and the community sports leaders award.
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One year into the programme, there continues to be a 60% increase in the number of ‘non sporty’ young people taking part in sport at 'Getting Ready' youth clubs each quarter.
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To date, 51 young leaders have gained paid coaching experience as a result of training they received through 'Getting Ready', progressing them into sports careers and providing sporting role models in communities.
quotes
Name: Jas Hothi
Position: Sports Development Officer, East region
"I feel that it is important to let young people make their own decisions, as it encourages them to succeed and empowers them. This shows in their enthusiasm for the sports they take part in. 'Getting Ready' provide non traditional sports such as cage cricket, tag rugby, parkour and dance. This has played a major role in helping to increase the participation in sports throughout inactive young people. 'Getting Readys' training has produced multi sports local coaches, who now deliver to their own community."
Name: Selina, 14
Position: Participant
"I have really enjoyed the sports at my youth club, like non contact boxing and Parkour. I really want to improve my skills at Pakour and become a Parkour coach."
