Future of Kickz project cemented for the next three years
Sky Blues in the Community are celebrating after their Kickz project received some good news last week.
The project – which offers football and other sports activities to young people – has received confirmation from the Premier League Charitable Fund that the scheme will continue to be delivered locally for the next three years, thanks to money from the Premier League and local financial support from West Midlands Police.
In July 2012 Sky Blues in the Community and Coventry City became the 44th Premier League and Football League club to run the Kickz project, which saw a number of partner organisations come together locally to deliver the project including West Midlands Police and the Positive Youth Foundation.
The announcement of funding for the next three years comes following a successful first 12 months of the project. Over 450 young people aged 13-19 have taken part in sessions to date, with 50 qualifications and accreditations achieved by those engaged in the project. Sessions take place on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings, and the Sky Blues in the Community team regularly have over 80 young people attending on Friday nights.
Moving forward the project will see its name changed to Premier League Kicks and the funding extension will also see the project expand, with new weekly sessions now scheduled to take place at the Moathouse Leisure Centre on Monday evenings, and Sidney Stringer Academy on Tuesday evenings.
In a second cause for celebration, the Coventry City Kicks project has been shortlisted in the ‘Community Project of the Year’ category for the Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Sports Awards, which take place in November.
The annual CSW Sports Awards is a celebration of sporting achievement and excellence, with the ‘Community’ award recognising innovative projects that use sport and physical activity to improve and enhance the quality of life amongst those taking part.
Sky Blues in the Community Inclusion Manager Craig White said “We have come a long way and achieved a lot since the project started just over 12 months ago. This wouldn’t be possible without a number of key individuals and partner organisations – including West Midlands Police and the Positive Youth Foundation.
“Being shortlisted for the award is great recognition for everyone involved in the project and we are delighted to be able to plan and deliver the project for the next three years and continue to offer the value it gives young people.”
For more information about the Premier League Kicks project, please contact Craig White on 024 7678 6313 or email craig.white@ccfc.co.uk