Young People to get their Kickz

Coventry City’s Sky Blues in the Community have recently been awarded a grant of £25,000 from the Premier League Charitable Fund to bring a ‘Kickz’ project to Coventry. Kickz is the Premier League’s flagship community initiative under their Creating Chances programme; the overriding aim of which is to use the strength and profile of professional football clubs to create opportunities at the heart of their communities. The Kickz project offers positive activities for young people aged 13-19 years old in high priority areas, providing free football sessions twice a week and a further night of alternative activities; including other sports, dance, music and personal development and leadership opportunities. The scheme also aims to break down barriers between the police and young people, reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and creating routes into volunteering, education and employment. The Kickz scheme is currently run at 43 Premier League and Football League clubs across the country, helping in excess of 50,000 young people every year. Coventry City will become the 44th club, joining West Midlands rivals Aston Villa, Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion and Wolves in delivering the project. Locally Sky Blues in the Community will be working with a number of partner organisations including the Integrated Youth Service and Positive Youth Foundation as well as West Midlands Police and Coventry Community Safety Partnership, who between them are providing additional funding to support the Premier League contribution. Cllr Phil Townshend, Cabinet member for Equalities and Community Safety said, "I'm thrilled that Sky Blues in the Community have been awarded this grant. It's clear that the money will be put to good use to create engaging and diversionary activities for young people, helping them to gain confidence, discover their gifts and realise their potential as responsible citizens of Coventry" David Busst, Joint Head of Sky Blues in the Community added, “We are absolutely delighted to receive this support and recognition from the Premier League. Kickz is probably the highest profile community initiative run at football clubs up and down the country and we have worked very closely with the Premier League and the Active Communities Network over the last 9 months to get to this point. We have a fantastic network of local partners who we know will be fully supportive in really making the Coventry Kickz project a resounding success.” Claire Bell, Superintendent, Local Policing, Coventry, West Midlands Police said, "the police in Coventry are delighted that the City has been able to secure a Kickz project locally. It will give young people a structured programme with meaningful activities, offering them the opportunity to stay active, gain qualifications and learn new skills. We are delighted to be working with the Community Safety Partnership and Football Club"

SKY BLUES IN THE COMMUNITY AND HENLEY COLLEGE COVENTRY LAUNCH NEW FUTSAL PROGRAMME

Sky Blues in the Community have linked up with Henley College Coventry to offer a new Futsal and Education programme in September for 16-19 year olds as part of a blossoming partnership which sees both organisations expanding their sports offers to students. Futsal is the only form of indoor football approved by FIFA, UEFA and the FA with over 2 million players who regularly participate. The students will study for a Level 3 BTEC (worth 2 A levels) and train and play Futsal for up to 8 hours a week. There are only 20 places available and students will study at the Ricoh Arena, Henley College and Birmingham Futsal Arena. Sky Blues Joint Head of Community David Busst visited Henley College last week this week to launch the new course and demonstrate Futsal skills to some of the current sports students at Henley College. David said “Sky Blues in the Community are delighted to be teaming up with Henley College to deliver this exciting new programme. Many great players attribute the development of their skills to Futsal including Ronaldo and Fabregas and we are delighted that we will be able to pass on these skills to students, at the same time linking with the college to provide our first full time educational offer.” Stuart Thom Programme Manager for Sports Industry at Henley College said “Expanding our sports provision to include Futsal which is globally recognised as one of the fasted growing indoor sports is very exciting. We are looking forward to working with Sky Blues in the Community to produce a winning Futsal team that will compete with other professional club teams across the country, as well as teaching our students skills in coaching and sports leadership that they will need for their future careers.” For more information about the new Futsal and Education course visit www.henley-cov.ac.uk

The Man Mile

Everyone has heard of ‘Race for Life’, the women-only event helping raise money for Cancer Research UK. Now there is ‘Balls to Cancer’, the men-only event helping raise money for Testicular Cancer Awareness and Research (www.ballstocancer.com). On Sunday 20th May 2012, Sky Blues in the Community and Coventry City Council's Health Development Service are working together to host a Balls to Cancer Charity Run for males only at the Ricoh Arena, home of Coventry City Football Club. The aim of the Charity Run is to encourage as many males as possible from in and around Coventry to participate in a mile fun run, raising money for the ‘Balls to Cancer’ charity to help in the fight against Testicular Cancer. The day will consist of a series of 1 mile runs for all ages and fitness abilities around the pitch at the Ricoh Arena. There will be two Under 16’s runs (at 10:00am and 10:30am) and four Adult runs (11:00am, 11:30am, 12:00pm and 12:30pm). The run, dubbed 'The Man Mile', will cost £3.00 per Under 16 and £5.00 per Adult to enter. This is a great opportunity for males in Coventry to really engage with the home of Coventry City Football Club like they haven't before. Participants will be the stars in view being cheered on to complete their mile. As this event is at the football stadium, we are encouraging all those who enter to wear a football shirt for the run they choose to participate in – whether that is a local football team kit or a supported team like CCFC! Sky Blues in the Community have great support for this event from a number of partners. Former CCFC Player, Dietmar Bruck is a Tesco Community Champion and is in full support of the Charity Run. Due to this partnership, Tesco will generously be providing resources for this event - bottles of water and bananas for participants. National Men's Health Week 2012 (11th-17th June) is promoting Active and Healthy Hearts. This run, is not only encouraging males to help raise money for the awareness and research of Testicular Cancer but it is to encourage males to get active and look after their heart. In Coventry, statistics show that on average, men live shorter lives than women - so supporting men to look after themselves is imperative. Testicular Cancer incidence in the UK is rising and has doubled in Britain since the mid-1970’s, most commonly affecting young to middle-aged men. Former CCFC Player, John Hartson famously battled Testicular Cancer and was guilty of ignoring the signs. He admits that if he knew how easy it was to get checked, he probably would not have had to go through much of his traumatic treatment. So, keep your eye on the ball and help the fight against Testicular Cancer by signing up for a 1 mile run today. For more information or to sign up for a run please contact Sky Blues in the Community, Phone: 02476786313, Text: 07891065449 or Email inform@ccfc.co.uk Your support will make a big difference!

S.B.I.T.C Matchday Health-Hub V Portsmouth

Learn to Play

Do you know someone aged 16+ with a learning disability; or someone aged 14+ with Down's syndrome? Our new Learning to Play project starts from 2nd November, providing football coaching and lifeskills workshops.

InForm

Calling all men aged 18+. SBitC start the new FREE men's football sessions across Coventry w/c 22nd November - email inform@ccfc.co.uk for more details and tell your friends!

BSL for football DVD

Coventry City star in the newly released series of videos developed by the National Deaf Children's Society, to assist coaches with the basics of sign language to help coaching deaf footballers.