SAFC Foundation’s Kickz Music Project was celebrated last Friday night with a fantastic ‘Kickz has got Talent’ show held at the Seaburn Centre, Sunderland.
In January 2009 the BRIT Trust, the charitable arm of the British recording industry trade body awarded the SAFC Foundation’s Seaburn Kickz project £7,600 to deliver musical activity.
The BRIT Trust offers young people the opportunity to enhance their lives through music. This makes it a perfect fit with the award-winning Kickz programme, whose primary partners include The Football Foundation, Premier League, Metropolitan Police and other police forces across the country. Through the power of football, Kickz aims to ‘build safer stronger, more respectful communities, through the development of young peoples’ potential.’
Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive of the BPI and trustee of the BRIT Trust said:
“Music and football are really important to young people and we’re delighted to be working with Kickz and the Football Foundation to give young people in disadvantaged communities access to better facilities, equipment and mentoring – and to discover the positive role music can play in their lives.”
Youngsters from SAFC Foundation’s Kickz scheme in Seaburn set up the project in January this year, which now boasts two bands and two female solo singers, who not only write and compose their own music, but have also performed on a number of occasions in Sunderland. So far 31 young people have been involved with SAFC Foundation’s Kickz Music Project, which holds sessions every Monday evening at Monkwearmouth School. The project gives them an opportunity to learn more about music, develop raw skills they may already have and complete their Bronze Arts Award.
The event saw performances from singers Danielle Darbershire and Danya Montgomery as well as bands The Void and The Five Fingers.
The Five Fingers performed some of their own compositions including ‘Kane’s Song’ which is dedicated to Kickz Seaburn participant, Kane Scales, who sadly died in a road traffic accident earlier this year. The band will also be performing at the visit of HRH The Countess of Wessex to Caterpillar, Peterlee later this week.
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore said:
“One of the main reasons that Kickz has been such a success is the strength of the partnerships that underpin its development and delivery. So it is excellent news that the Brit Trust have pledged to continue to play their important part, funding innovative music sessions at many of the projects. Football and music connects with young people and this powerful combination is being used to make a major difference in areas that need it most.”
Anita Errington, SAFC Foundation Head of Inclusion and Well-being:
“We’re very proud of everything that our young people have achieved and it was great to be able to celebrate their progress and talents with this show. The great amount of support shown by friends, family members and other young people involved with SAFC Foundation Kickz demonstrates how effective the program has been in engaging the community – not just the performers directly involved.”
SAFC’s Kickz programme recently won the prestigious Kickz Club Achievement Award at the National Kickz Awards held at Wembley Stadium, beating 38 other clubs in the progress.
Kickz uses the power of football to ‘build safer, stronger, more respectful communities through the development of young people’s potential’. A variety of activities, including football, other sports, music, arts and developmental workshops on issues ranging from healthy lifestyles to the dangers of carrying weapons, are delivered three nights a week, all year round.
As well as improving the lives of young people taking part, the SAFC Foundation Kickz programme has been shown to have reduced anti-social behaviour in some areas by up to 49% and criminal damage in some areas by 70%. SAFC Foundation works to improve local lives and communities through football helping 30,000 children each year but also fundraising 95% of project costs each year.
