Latest news with #PremierLeagueKicks
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Park football sessions offered by Wolves charity
Free football-based activities are being offered to young people by Wolverhampton Wanderers' charity across eight parks in the city during the school holidays. Participants aged eight to 18 are welcome at the weekly Kicks in the Park sessions starting from Monday, the Wolves Foundation said. The sessions are in addition to the regular Premier League Kicks ones it holds during school holidays, "offering young people the chance to meet up and enjoy football in a safe and secure environment". All sessions are completely free but places need to be pre-booked, said the charitable foundation. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. More on this story Wolves charity offers children free sport sessions Sports project for disabled launched by charity Wolves charity extends football sessions for kids Related internet links Wolves Foundation
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
School holiday park football sessions offered by Wolves charity
Free football-based activities are being offered to young people by Wolverhampton Wanderers' charity across eight parks in the city during the school holidays. Participants aged eight to 18 are welcome at the weekly Kicks in the Park sessions starting from Monday, the Wolves Foundation said. The sessions are in addition to the regular Premier League Kicks ones it holds during school holidays, "offering young people the chance to meet up and enjoy football in a safe and secure environment".All sessions are completely free but places need to be pre-booked, said the charitable foundation. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Business News Wales
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Business News Wales
New £66,000 Football-Led Initiative Tackles Youth Violence Across South Wales
A new partnership between Cardiff City FC Community Foundation, South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner's Violence Prevention Unit, the Welsh Government, and the Premier League aims to strengthen efforts to build safer connected communities. An £18,000 investment from the Premier League Police Partnerships Pilot, alongside £30,000 in joint funding from the South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner's Violence Prevention Unit and Welsh Government, will support the delivery of 80 targeted Premier League Kicks sessions across Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan, and Merthyr Tydfil. These outreach activities for people aged eight to 25 will provide early intervention for young men at risk of disengagement, exploitation, and long-term disadvantage by using the power of football and community-based support to help them build better futures. The programme will also provide mentorship and mental health support, offering alternative pathways to crime and violence. It forms part of national campaigns, including #NotTheOne and SOUND, helping to encourage young men to make positive decisions and develop healthier relationships. Delivery will also support the Welsh Government's strategic aims on Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV), by working directly with young men and boys to challenge harmful attitudes and promote equality. Through football led engagement and targeted workshops, the initiative encourages allyship, emotional resilience, and responsible masculinity, helping to build safer communities and reduce gender-based violence. This new partnership builds on the success of the Foundation's Premier League Kicks youth outreach programme which provides free football activities and support for young people. It also responds to key issues raised in the Centre for Social Justice's 'Lost Boys' report. Last year, the Foundation launched a Premier League Kicks site in Caerau, Maesteg – one of South Wales' most deprived areas. The sessions delivered in partnership with South Wales Police, Noddfa Youth Project, and Bridgend County Borough Council, offer free weekly football activities at Caerau Primary School for young people aged 10–17. These sessions give young people a safe space to connect, helping reduce anti-social behaviour and school exclusion, improve mental wellbeing, and build more positive relationships in their communities. Since the programme's launch, Caerau has seen a 26% reduction in anti-social behaviour. Working closely with South Wales Police has also strengthened community cohesion and built greater trust between residents and law enforcement. The new grant will be match-funded by £18,000 from the Premier League Charitable Fund, supporting 80 sessions that combine football with practical workshops on issues like knife crime, mental wellbeing, and healthy relationships. To ensure the programme is accessible, the Community Foundation will continue to engage young people through schools, youth services, and community referrals, offering minibus transport for participants across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. Zac Lyndon-Jones, Interim Director of Cardiff City FC Community Foundation, said: 'Football has always been a powerful way to connect with young people. But this project goes beyond the pitch — it's about creating safer, more supportive spaces where young people can truly thrive. By combining trusted relationships, offering mentoring and early intervention, we're helping young people make positive choices, grow their resilience, and feel like they genuinely belong in their communities. 'We're grateful to our partners, the Premier League, the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales, South Wales Police, and Welsh Government for backing this pilot. Their investment allows us to test innovative approaches that could make a lasting difference in some of South Wales' most vulnerable communities.' Clare Sumner, Chief Policy and Social Impact Officer at the Premier League, said: 'The Premier League has a long history of working with local police forces to provide positive opportunities for young people in our communities. We are delighted to expand this work, providing more positive interventions that will engage and support those who need us most.' The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, said: 'This isn't simply about diverting young people from negative influences – it's about connecting them to opportunities and adults who genuinely care. These sessions complement our SOUND campaign, challenging harmful behaviours and creating safer communities. We remain committed to initiatives that foster respect, build positive relationships, and empower young people to make better choices. Through preventative programmes like this, we're working toward lasting cultural change across Welsh communities.'
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cushing visits City in the Community session ahead of matchday takeover
Cushing visits City in the Community session ahead of matchday takeover Nick Cushing took time out to visit a City in the Community session ahead of the charity's matchday takeover this weekend. Our Interim Head Coach met youngsters from City in the Community's Soccer Schools and Premier League Kicks participants during a coaching session from the charity's degree students. Advertisement The youngsters enjoyed taking part in a team drill with Cushing, before he was able to share his coaching knowledge during a Q&A, before signing items, handing out free tickets and taking selfies. Prize draw: win and support citc! The visit took place at Bradford Park, a site close to the Etihad Stadium which is being regenerated by City in the Community as part of its Healthy Goals programme. Cushing finished his visit by revealing to students what the new pitch, supported by Manchester City's Official Fashionwear Partner CP Company, will look like. Speaking after the visit, Cushing said: 'I really loved being with the children and being out in the local community today - any chance you get to be around fans from our area is an amazing experience. Advertisement 'I think it's great that the Club is celebrating City in the Community this weekend because it's really important for us to recognise our charity. 'CITC does an incredible job of not only offering new opportunities but also recognising that our fans and the local community are the most important part of Manchester City. "Visiting their sessions is always an amazing time and something that I really enjoy.' Manchester City Women will be celebrating its charity, City in the Community (CITC), at its matchday against Everton on Sunday 20th April. Fans will be able to access bonus community content, including within the matchday programme, during half-time and across digital channels. Advertisement CITY v EVERTON: GET YOUR TICKETS The fixture will also see the return of the popular 'hand-drawn' graphics on social media, as local school children were once again invited to draw their favourite Manchester City stars. The stadium, which is being renamed 'The City in the Community Joie Stadium' for the day, will come alive with charity branded banners before kick-off. Players will also be showing their support for the charity by warming up in City in the Community branded tops and donating them, alongside the matchday's worn shirts, for fundraising. Elsewhere, the day is being used to create once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for City in the Community participants, including meeting the players, joining the media teams, half-time activities and waving flags on the pitch. Advertisement Bid on men's team worn items To coincide with the celebrations, City in the Community has added a special Manchester City Women's training experience into its new monthly prize draw, and introduced a 'buy one get one free' offer for match-goers. Every fan who purchases a ticket to the MCWFC v Everton fixture and subscribes to the City in the Community Prize Draw will automatically double their chances to win in the month of April*. Fans around the world** have the chance to win 'money can't buy' prizes such as pitch side experiences at Etihad Stadium matchdays, watching the first team train at the City Football Academy and more! April's month of prizes include: Pitchside Experience - watch the players warm up from an unmatched location at Men's Manchester City vs Bournemouth fixture at the Etihad. Women's Training Experience - Watch our Women's Team train exclusively behind the scenes. Erling Haaland 24/25 Signed Shirt - Manchester City 24/25 Replica Shirt, personally signed by Erling Haaland. Jack Grealish 23/24 Signed Shirt - Manchester City 23/24 Replica Away Shirt, personally signed by Jack Grealish. Advertisement The 'City in the Community Prize Draw' is powered by Raise Your Game, and your support will go towards sustaining the charity's programmes, which all empower healthier lives through football. Entries start at £5 per ticket; supporters can enter on a one-off basis, or they can sign up to a direct debit, meaning they enter the draw monthly automatically. You have until 11:59 GMT on 28 April to enter for the first month! Fans can also get their hands on worn, warm-up mid-layers from the Men's Manchester City v Brighton fixture on Saturday 15th March. Make your bids by clicking here. Alongside our new Prize Draw and auction, you can be the first to hear about City in the Community's events and news! Advertisement Manchester City's charity is delighted to now be providing fans with regular email updates, including announcements of exciting initiatives before anyone else. To sign up and hear more all you need to do is click here and fill out some simple details. City in the Community empowers healthier lives with city youth through football. To find out more, visit or follow the charity on social media @CITCmancity. Terms and Conditions. Winners from the City in the Community Prize Draw are drawn on 28th of each month at midday (GMT +1). All ticket holders for Manchester City Women vs Everton Women on 20th April, including Season Ticket Members, are eligible for the April offer if they subscribe to the City in the Community Prize Draw. Advertisement CITC Prize Draw tickets for those eligible will be automatically doubled in the week commencing 21st of April. **Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Cambodia, Qatar, Lebanon, and North Korea are the only excluded countries from the prize draw.
The Guardian
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘We're in a crisis': Idris Elba calls for more action on youth violence in UK
Idris Elba has highlighted the trauma faced by those at risk of youth violence, including knife crime, at a meeting with police and community figures, adding that he was confident the government would 'pay attention' to the issue. The actor and campaigner has been a vocal supporter of tackling knife crime and youth violence, and recently fronted a documentary on the issue. At a roundtable discussion on Monday evening with regional community figures and the national lead for knife crime in Dagenham, east London, he called for 'joined-up thinking' on the issue. He said: 'I describe myself as someone who's got a soapbox. I'm a parent, that's it. I'm no expert on youth crime, but I do know that we're in a crisis and that we've got to stand up and do something and there has to be joined-up thinking.' Elba's appearance at the event was to support the Premier League Kicks programme, which provides free, weekly football sessions across the country for young people at risk of antisocial behaviour, including youth violence. After meeting teenagers and coaches from the West Ham Foundation, which runs the local sessions in Dagenham, Elba joined community leaders from across the country involved in the programme, some of whom have been affected by knife crime or serious youth violence, to discuss the issue. In the course of the discussion, the topic of trauma arose, particularly how it was a common experience among those involved in, or affected by, youth violence. Elba said he had asked some of the teenagers whether the sessions helped young people 'stay away from knife crime and violence'. They told him they did. 'There was a massive real impact of it and that sense of belonging was important in the understanding about trauma, dialogue and understanding. You never know what any of these kids are going through at home, what their environment is. But here feels like family.' Last month, Elba fronted a documentary highlighting the issue of knife crime in the UK. Before its release, he called for kitchen knives to be sold only with rounded ends, and, last year, he urged the government to ban the sale of machetes and 'zombie' knives. Elba told the Guardian he had decided to host the documentary because he did not understand the issue 'as much as I needed to'. He said: 'It's one thing saying: we've got to stop knife crimes, we've got to ban knives, but understanding why was really important to be effective in messaging.' Last September, Elba participated in a summit on knife crime. He was joined by the prime minister, Keir Starmer; the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, and those who had lost loved ones to knife crime. Elba said he was confident that the government would 'pay attention' to the issue. 'I'm hoping that the recent awareness that we've seen happen is enough of a driver to push them to do change. Needless to say, no – one wants to see any more needless or senseless deaths,' he said. Stephen Clayman, the national lead for knife crime for the National Police Chiefs' Council, said that grassroots initiatives such as the Premier League scheme could 'make the biggest difference'. 'We've got to think about what young people would be attracted to,' he said. 'Anything that could get attention of someone who is distracted by other things in their lives, gives them a route in and helps them make better life choices.' He said such programmes needed investment to continue running. 'Whether that's government investment or private investment from other industries, it is fundamental that we don't give up because this is where you make the biggest difference,' he said.
