The Kickstart Government scheme has given Jamal Adams the opportunity to join the Sky Blues in the Community (SBitC) team as an Assistant Community Coach.
Sky Blues in the Community are the official charity arm of Coventry City Football Club, working across Coventry & Warwickshire in a range of projects and initiatives, including in sport, education, inclusion and health.
Sky Blues in the Community, with support from the EFL Trust, appointed Jamal through the Kickstart programme in January 2022, to help him gain experience and qualifications to help to improve his employability in the sporting world.
The Kickstart Scheme is a programme launched by the Government in 2021 to fund new job roles for 16-24 years olds who are currently in receipt of Universal Credit, and is aimed at preventing young people who are currently unemployed facing long term unemployment.
Jamal was unemployed for 2 months before applying for the role as the Assistant Community Coach with SBitC. Prior to taking part in the Kickstart scheme, Jamal struggled to find work and worried whether he could fill a role like this or not, in an area of work that he is very passionate about.
Jamal has had experience elsewhere in the sports industry before his appointment with SBitC, working as a football and sports coach in Coventry as well as being a qualified personal trainer.
When starting his role with Sky Blues in the Community, Jamal commented:
“I am most looking forward to supporting young people across Coventry to progress in every aspect of life and the skills they need to be the best they can.”
As well as taking on this role, Jamal plays semi-professional football for Coventry Sphinx and has ambitions to make it into professional football one day.
If you would like more information about the Sky Blues in the Community’s involvement in the Kickstart Programme, please contact NCS/Education Manager, Sam Flatley at sam.flatley@sbitc.org.uk or alternatively on 024 7678 6349