A group of young people have taken the first step in their Soccer coaching journey thanks to a Youth Leadership Coaching Programme designed by Cork City Council, Cork ETB, Cork Sports Partnership and the FAI.
This programme took a holistic approach and blended a number of courses which are required to work in the sports industry. Young people between the ages of 16 and 21 completed courses in Sports First Aid, Safeguarding and a Personal Development Programme over a six-week period through a mixture of online and practical sessions.
What makes this programme really unique is the fact that participants will be offered a coaching placement on Cork City Councils ‘Sports on the Green Series’ this summer.
Developed in response to Covid-19 restrictions, the ‘Sports on the Green Series’ is aimed at children and takes place on the green areas of housing estates across Cork City where the recently trained coaches will help younger boys and girls develop their football skills, while having fun. These young coaches will shadow experienced and professional FAI Coaches while they deliver sessions to over 500 children in 40 housing estate greens this summer.
Cllr. Colm Kelleher, Lord Mayor of Cork, highlighted the value these young coaches will add to local communities around the city:
Through coaching on our Sports on the Green Series these young people will be encouraging children to be active, while taking part in fun soccer sessions on their doorstep. We aim to make Cork a responsive and inclusive city but also a fun, active and healthy one and this type of programme meets all of these criteria.
James Kirby, Cork Sports Partnership added:
We are delighted to have supported this group of young people over the past 6 weeks in what is a collaborative and comprehensive coaching programme. Participants actively engaged every step of the way.”
Welcoming the upcoming Sports on the Green Programme, FAI President Gerry McAnaney said:
The Football Association of Ireland is delighted to be involved again with this initiative and we thank Cork City Council, Cork ETB and Cork Sports Partnership for partnering with us on this innovative Soccer On The Green project which has reached out to so many communities all across Cork city. We also want to acknowledge the involvement of Foróige, Tusla, local youth groups and the many Residents Associations who all helped to make this possible. Football in the community has never been more vital than during this COVID-19 pandemic so my thanks to all the volunteers, community leaders and our own dedicated FAI staff who made this all possible. The opportunities presented to the children of Cork to participate in football in a safe environment and the collaboration of all involved are to be celebrated.
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