Centre Spot coaches and volunteers travelled to Ghana to distribute football boots and equipment to over 100 young people from deprived communities in Ghana.

The trip which was made possible through fundraising was part of Centre Spot’s Shoot 4 Boots 4 Africa project. The visit saw Centre Spot coaches providing coaching sessions to young children, as well as a coaching workshops for local coaches.

“This trip has been a real eye opener for me. It has also been the most rewarding bit of coaching I have ever done” – Jonathan Hunter- Barrett, Centre Spot coach.
“It is amazing that these young children have very little, but they just get on with life, and always with a smile. I am really looking forward to coming back again to do some more” – Sinead Scot, Centre Spot coach.

Centre Spot would like to thank all those who helped with fundraising or donated their old football boots, and we look forward to going back to do some more.
Olympic Camp and Gold, Silver and Bronze Project

Tuesday 21st May 2013 saw over 300 pupils from schools all around Sandwell and Birmingham area converge on the astro at Goals Blackheath for the annual Centre Spot Schools Tournament.

This year’s tournament, the fourth following on from last year’s Olympic themed Gold Silver and Bronze Tournament, was themed on the African Cup of Nations and all 16 participating schools received a complimentary Out of Africa Schools Education Pack, a resource that was created by Centre Spot as part of their Heritage Lottery Funded Out of Africa Campaign.

The boys and girls who attended were aged from 7 to 11 and took part in mixed team 5-a-side tournaments against their local counterparts to win trophies. The winning schools were Harper Bell Adventist Birmingham, Oakham Primary Oldbury, Rowley Hall Primary Rowley Regis and St James C of E Oldbury, with St John Bosco RC West Bromwich winning the Fair Play award. The children were supported at the tournament by parents and teachers, and everyone left with a medal, and all schools receiving a certificate of attendance. Everyone is looking forward to next year’s tournament, the theme being Euro’s 2014.

Over the last few weeks, Centre Spot as part of the Gold Silver Bronze Project, a project which seeks to provide 2012 hours of sports coaching, competition and volunteering opportunities have organised a series of School Sports Competitions for Primary and Secondary Schools in Sandwell and Birmingham.

The competitions saw over 200 children taking part in Athletics, Football and Basketball. To build on the excitement of the London 2012 Games and the torch passing through Sandwell on 30th June 2012, Centre Spot in partnership with Goals Soccer Centre also organised a Junior Football Tournament for young people aged 13-16 years old.

Manny Abbeyquaye, Director of Centre Spot said “The Tournament is part of our Inspire Mark project, and also double up as a Street Games Neighbourhood Festival, we are delighted to be part of the torch relay celebration as we all countdown to the Olympics”

Lee Downing of Goals Dudley added “We are very pleased to be part of the celebrations of the Olympic Torch passing through Sandwell and cannot wait for the London 2012 Games.”

Centre Spot are pleased to announce the successful completion of our Football project for young people from the Walsall area. The project which was funded by the England Footballers Foundation Outreach programme saw over 20 young boys and girls take part in weekly Football Coaching sessions, an entry Level Football coaching qualification, and a final event which included young people receiving certificates, awards, and a buffet.

The England Footballers Foundation Outreach Programme, which has been running for four years, works with hard to reach groups, with the aim to make a meaningful difference to young people across England. In 2011 the focus of the players own Outreach Programme was to work with local communities and groups, helping young people deemed NEET (not in Education, Employment or Training) or those at risk of becoming NEET.16 projects received grants to help young people transition back into a better life path.

“It was a really good project, and all the participants were very enthusiastic. I was particularly impressed by the coaching course. Everyone made a real effort to complete the course” -Aaron Grace, Project Lead Coach.

Brandon who received a Special Award for exceptional behaviour and attitude added “I wish we could carry on. I am not sure what I want to be in future, but I think I might go into coaching”
To find out more about the England Footballers Foundation, please visit www.englandfootballersfoundation.com