|
|
 |
| |
Hampstead Girls Euro Under-13s champions |
Hunting for future stars
Partners in sport: Coaches join forces to boost community grassroots football
A NEW team is bidding to bolster football across Camden and Islington and help bring communities together.
Saturday saw the launch of the United Football Partnership (UFP), an organisation aimed at promoting and providing sports of all levels, especially football.
Top coaches and youth workers from the Camden Sports Development team, Coram’s Fields, the Copenhagen Youth Project, Highgate Newtown Community Centre, Hampstead Football Club, Reddot Football Club, Street League, Swiss Cottage School and the Winchester Project have joined forces.
They will be looking to provide regular training sessions and give advice on helping youngsters get involved with sports both on and off the pitch.
UFP chairman Steve Griffiths from the Copenhagen Youth Project in Caledonian Road, Islington, said: “We’re looking to improve the quality of provision at grassroots levels in all sports, predominately football.
“We’ll be doing that by making sure all our coaches are well trained. We’re also aiming to encourage youngsters to become qualified coaches themselves and take on their own responsibilities and become role models.
“We want to remind local communities that young people can make a positive contribution to their surrounding areas,” he added.
“We’ll also be talking with councils, schools and parks about using their facilities and making them more accessible for future competitions and sports sessions.”
The UFP’s first goal is to promote women’s and girls’ football.
They couldn’t have asked for a better start, as scores of promising players turned out for Saturday’s big kick-off.
Held at the Winchester Project in Swiss Cottage, Hampstead won the girls’ Euro Under-13s Trophy. Flying the flag for Spain, a single goal from Eda Demirelay proved decisive as they netted a 1-0 win over Camden Sports Development, who were playing as France.
Asanteni Charles, who playes for Hampstead FC, was voted the Player of the Tournament after putting in a string of impressive displays for Holland.
In the women’s senior competition, Camden Sports Development – who were playing as Italy – were crowned champions after beating Holland’s Winchester Project 2-1 thanks to goals from Kirsty Pealling and Carol Brown.
England’s Catriona Hale, who was playing for the Camden Sports Development second team, was named player of the tournament.
Keen to rally the numbers, the UFP are hoping that new organisations will come on board.
Steve added: “We’re always looking for new members to work with us and help us to reach a wider audience. The more voices we have the louder we can get our message across.”
|
 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
