PREMIER LEAGUE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE TRUSTFollowing a successful debut year working with the Premier League Charitable Fund (PLCF), the Trust are delighted to announce a further two-year deal that will provide over £100,000 grant funding for each of the next two seasons from the PLCF.
In simple terms, this allows the Trust to visit 50 local schools and deliver free sport to approximately 2,000 children every week of term. The funding supports three separate projects: Primary Stars, KICKS and Girls Football.
PREMIER LEAGUE PRIMARY STARS SCHOOL SPORT PROGRAMME
The PL Primary Stars programme is designed to provide primary schools with support in improving the provision of PE and sport and physical activities, both during curriculum and extra-curriculum time. The aim is to provide higher quality, positive experiences for the pupils, enabling positive teaching and learning, alongside increased participation opportunities and importantly, for the club increased player pathways through talent identification.
This support to schools includes PE curriculum lessons, enrichment sessions, through to breakfast clubs, lunch-time activities and after-school clubs, and also a range of competitive opportunities for children, helping inter-school and District Schools football programmes.
School Sport Development Officer, James Hatch, who oversees the project, commented: "We always have a great response from local schools who have asked us to come in and help with all kinds of requests, from running lunchtime clubs to coaching the schools' football teams.
"With the PLCF funding we will be able to engage with more schools than ever each week, and also promote the club to the next generation of supporters. We hope this project will not only help schools with providing quality PE lessons, but also by involving the children with the club, provide future supporters as well as future academy players who come in as part of our school sport talent identification programme."
For any schools interested in our school sport project you can contact James Hatch at the Trust on 01582 737568 or via email at schoolsport@lutontown.co.uk
PREMIER LEAGUE GIRLS FOOTBALL
PL Girls Football began over three seasons ago and aimed to set up high quality girls-only satellite centres to give girls and women aged 14 and over new opportunities to play football. The project is now aimed at women and girls from 11 years upwards and again is seeking to increase the numbers playing and to provide pathways for players and also coaches.
The new project fits in really well with our Girls Player Development Centre staffed entirely by female coaches who have all qualified through our previous initiatives in female football.
We hope to continue to play an important part in breaking down barriers and our Girls' Football project will offer the opportunity for players of all abilities to join the female football revolution.
We hope many participants will be enjoying their first real kicks, whilst for others, the sessions will aim to reignite a sporting passion, by easing back into playing – but pressure free! Of course, new participants falling in love with the game for the first time, or all over again, have numerous pathways to graduate beyond grass-roots at the club through our pro-active partnership with Luton Ladies FC, and whether participants wish to shine in playing, become a coach that inspires the future generation, or maybe combine education with playing in the future, then we now have the opportunity to offer the same through this partnership.
If you want to take part in any of our PL Girls Football projects then give our Girls Football Development Officer, Nicolle Robinson, a call at the Community office on 01582 737568 or email her at girlsfootball@lutontown.co.uk for more information.
PREMIER LEAGUE KICKS PROGRAMME – SOCIAL COHESION PROJECT
PL KICKS seeks to promote sport in deprived areas of high unemployment where lots of students under-achieve at school or college, and now find the jobs market challenging.
KICKS projects aim to use football as a hook to engage and target young people aged 11 to 24 and attempt to divert them away from anti-social behaviour by providing training and employment and volunteering opportunities. Longer term it leads to improved health and self-esteem, where they can feel safer by bringing different communities together.
Community Operations Development Officer Daniel Douglas commented: "KICKS is a fantastic project that encourages young people of all ages and abilities to come together and enjoy football. Quite often it's the first stage of a young person becoming involved with the Club's Trust, from KICKS they may also decide to, volunteer with us or sign up for employability support programmes.
"KICKS can just be about coming along to play football every night with friends, but for the majority of students it's so much more that that – it's a step towards making positive changes within their lives."
If you want to get involved in KICKS give us a ring and speak to Daniel on 01582 737568 or email Daniel.douglas@lutontown.co.uk
