The Checkatrade Trophy has been visiting schools which have worked with Sky Blues in the Community's Wembley National Stadium Trust Project.
The Wembley National Stadium Trust project is part of a 3-year funding cycle received from the English Football League Trust (EFL Trust), enabling Sky Blues in the Community to deliver specialist school, community group and team disability football sessions. The project has great links to partners such as Birmingham County FA, SEND Active, Birmingham Ability Counts League and local community groups.
Since September 2016, as part of the Wembley National Stadium Trust project, schools educating young people with either a physical or mental disability have had the opportunity to benefit from free after school club football delivery over a 36-week period.
During May 2017, to celebrate and give recognition to some of the schools involved in the project, Coventry City FC and Sky Blues in the Community arranged for the Checkatrade Trophy to visit children and young people at these schools.
At the visits, children and young people had the chance to touch and get close to the Checkatrade Trophy as well as having their photograph taken with it. This was a fantastic experience for both young people and staff alike with the trophy being warmly greeted and appreciated across the schools.
Sue Backhouse, Assistant Head (Enrichment) at Round Oak School, Support Service and Sports College said: “It was with great excitement that both staff and students at Round Oak School awaiting Anthony Charles from Sky Blues in the Community with the famous Checkatrade Trophy won by Coventry City FC at Wembley. Anthony kindly transported the trophy around most of the classes in school. Our students were amazed by the size of the trophy not to mention the weight! For all students, it was a great experience to see it 'in real life'! For some students, it was a very emotional experience! It prompted a very valuable discussion around pride in ourselves”
“Our very sincere thanks to Anthony and Sky Blues in the Community for arranging this wonderful visit.”
Many schools and young people will continue to benefit from the Wembley National Stadium Trust project throughout this term, allowing them to continue enjoy FREE football coaching from the Sky Blues in the Community.
To find out more about Sky Blues in the Community’s disability focused work, please contact Inclusion Coordinator, Sam Flatley via telephone: 024 7678 6313 or email: sam.flatley@ccfc.co.uk