The University of Gloucestershire’s community football scheme ‘Onside’ dispatches qualified football coaches to a variety of neighbourhood projects where they provide advice and support on leading football orientated sessions. The programme could involve a straight football coaching session or, a rather more diverse approach, such as encouraging writing about the ‘beautiful game’.
The project is a joint venture with the University and a number of key partners including the Gloucestershire Football Association, Gloucester City Council, Cheltenham Borough Council, Cheltenham Town FC and Gloucester City FC.
Onside’s Football Development Officer Jim Hart, based at the University of Gloucestershire is a highly qualified football coach with a passion for community regeneration work and neighbourhood empowerment.
Jim said: “Onside has been successful at its primary task of creating new football activity in Cheltenham and Gloucester. Some activities have become formalised into new teams and clubs, others remain informal and offer the opportunity to drop in and play. Onside has formed new partnerships at grassroots level with local agency partners such as the youth service and the police.”
Along with the support from the two local football clubs, Jim is assisted by an army of volunteers including students from the University who specialise in sports related disciplines. The students are encouraged to lead sessions which not only benefit the community but also support their academic studies.
Jim is excited by the challenges ahead: “I feel there is a lot more that Onside has to offer. We have another four years of Football Foundation funding; we have only begun to scratch the surface. We will not rest until every young person who has a desire to play, but for whatever reason doesn’t, has the opportunity to play and is given the chance to enjoy and participate in the world’s favourite game.”