More than 60 local young people got the chance to practice leadership roles and learn some expert football skills last week as the Abingdon DAMASCUS Youth Project, MEPC’s Milton Park and the South London Kinetic Academy teamed up to provide them with high quality football coaching.
The Abingdon Damascus Youth Project, a voluntary and registered charity, prides itself on enabling young people to make a positive difference within their own communities. The project has been embedded into the rural villages of Drayton, Appleford, Milton, Sutton Courtenay and Steventon for over 15 years. The whole ethos of the project is to empower young people to become positive role models and challenge negative peer pressure.
The football coaching project ran from Monday 27 October to Wednesday 29 October with each day’s session held in South Abingdon and Sutton Courtenay. Sponsored by MEPC’s Milton Park, the event was all part of DAMASCUS’ annual project to give its members who may not have been coached in football before or have the necessary confidence to play sport, a real treat.
Gary Hibbins, community development consultant, for DAMASCUS said: “I’m thrilled to see the young people build on their skills, interests and talents. Across the three days we’ve had people just coming to watch and interact, and some starting off with a kick about and then actually playing in the games. Also, this scheme is a great example of local partnership working – a massive thank you to MEPC for their continuous support.”
The coaches from Croydon-based Kinetic Academy are between the ages of 16-18. They all attend college and their volunteer work during their half term goes towards their final qualifications in Sports Coaching.
James Fotheringham, operating officer, Kinetic Foundation said: “This opportunity gives our students a chance to coach football in different communities whilst helping other young people in an activity that they may find difficult. We use volunteering as a big part of our programme.”
James Dipple, chief executive officer, MEPC who sponsored the event said: “We sponsor this project every year, not just because DAMASCUS is based at Milton Park, but also because it brings together Kinetic and our local young people to enjoy the wonderful game. You can see from everyone’s faces that they loved their training, and it’s great that we have been able to play a small part in their enjoyment.”