Communities First “On The Ball” Football Programme Towards Euro 20 Legacy
Our Euro2020(Refugees & Asylum Seekers) Sports Legacy Project aims to celebrate the contribution players with a refugee background make to the beautiful game, and the positive role football can play in bringing people together and creating more welcoming communities.
For people fleeing conflict and persecution, football can play a hugely important role in helping to settle into a new country and culture, to make friends, learn the language and get to know the local area.
Our project, funded by Sport England , is about helping processed refugees and asylum seekers (who thereby have access to public funds) to become fit and active through football and then maintain their progression via long term participation and volunteer opportunities at local sports clubs.
There are three elements to the project:
- 1. Weekly coaching and football skills development sessions with a FA qualified Coach at Selhurst Sports Arena.
- 2. Our project will also identify refugees or asylum seekers that would like to volunteer for a club, to find a football club that is seeking volunteers. Additionally, via our agreement with Palace for Life Foundation, we would look to offer at least 4 per year opportunities to obtain a FA Level 1 Coaching qualification.
- 3. At our sessions, participants can "drop in" to information sessions to access pathway and additional support information from social workers, Health workers or simply look at leaflets/posters about additional information and opportunities.
