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KICKZ Goals Thru Football

“I come to Kickz every week so I can get off the streets and it keeps me out of trouble and I can also socialise with my friends”
Sam Reeves, 16 year boy who attends Southend United Kickz

“Kickz dance sessions is a great way to learn new dance moves and I am looking forward to putting my moves into action in front of hundreds of people at the show in Basildon”
Wilson and Soraia Fernandes, Southend United Kickz Dance Attendee's

“I feel fitter and healthier thanks to the Kickz fitness sessions i have noticed i have lost weight and can run for longer. I have started to stop smoking after talking to the coaches”
Ciaran Butler, 16 years old, Southend United Kickz Attendee

“Kickz has helped me to get off the streets, through Kickz I got to go college with the help of Russ and Jon; I got £30 per week and gained my level one in football coaching”
Rhys Duffy, 18 years old, Southend United Kickz Attendee and Volunteer.

 

KICKZ

Using the power of football and the appeal of professional clubs, the Kickz programme targets some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country. Kickz offers 12-18 year olds the chance to take part in positive activity three nights a week, 48 weeks of the year.

Programme Vision

To create safer, stronger, more respectful communities through the development of young people’s potential.

Background

The Kickz concept was born out of discussions between the Metropolitan Police and the Football Industry. It was piloted at Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham and Brentford Football Clubs in April 2006, and Manchester City from August 2006.

Government support for the programme, through the Respect Task Force saw the programme extend nationally and led to the involvement of the Association of Chief Police Officers and Association of Police Authorities. The programme name and logo Kickz – Goals Thru Football was designed by participants on the programme.

With Funding from HM Treasury via the Football Foundation and additional support from the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS), the youth volunteering charity v, the respect Task Force and the Department of Health, 25 Kickz projects were launched at clubs nationally during the 2006/2007 season.

In September 2007, the Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced further expansion of the Kickz programme. This was part of a three year, multi million pound investment from the Football Foundation and Metropolitan Police, along with support from the DCMS via the Premier League’s good causes fund. The joint investment means the Kickz expansion could reach up to 100 projects and engage over 15,000 teenagers in the most deprived areas of the country, more than four times the previous prevision. At present 39 different clubs are involved in the programme.

Project objectives

Kickz aims to:

  • Engage young people in a range of constructive activities which link to the Every Child Matters framework.
  • Break down barriers between the police and young people.
  • Reduce crime and anti social behaviour in the targeted neighbourhoods.
  • Increase the playing, coaching and officiating opportunities for participants.
  • Create routes into education, training and employment.
  • Encourage volunteering within projects and throughout the target neighbourhoods.
  • Increase young people’s interest in and connections with the professional game

If you wish to find out more information regarding Southend United Kickz please contact Joe Skeels on 01702 341351.

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