February has seen numerous sports camps, new activities and provision grow. Here’s an overview of what we got up to:
Half Term Activities:
HAF – Arcade club trip
On Wednesday 15th February we were able to offer a reward trip to the arcade club for our PL Kicks HAF participants who had been signed up to our HAF activities throughout the week at the Bloomfield Road Stadium gaming camp, Aspire Sports Hub camp and Claremont Park camp. Participants were transported via a coach to the venue with 95 young people signed up to attend. Each young person spent the afternoon playing a wide range of games on XBOX, PS5 and PC as well as playing a range of new and old arcade games at the venue. As part of the day each young person was provided with a free meal whilst in attendance.
HAF
Our mainstream BFCCT HAF Camps took place at: Layton, Westminster, Revoe, Moor Park, Unity and Armfield schools. The delivery consisted of Valentines Arts and Crafts, a variety of sports / games, free play, and a free healthy meal to all participants.
At our SEND HAF camp, we had our regular activities (sports, arts and crafts, gaming etc.) and finished the week off on Friday with a visit from Eddie the DJ.
The PL Kicks team delivered a range of HAF camps over the February school holidays. These daytime and evening sessions included: Gaming Camp, Sports Camp at SJV school, Football sessions at Claremont Park and Aspire Sports Hub. The Kicks team also rewarded the children for displaying positive behaviour by offering trips to the Arcade Club and to the recent Blackpool FC v Stoke City football game.
Stars Camp
Over February half term, participants at our Stars Disability Camp have had a great time. They enjoyed taking part in sports such as dodgeball and football, playing video games on our consoles and being creative in our arts and crafts section. We also had a party where participants were treated to a disco and party games on the Friday.
HAF – Stoke game
On Saturday 18th February, Thanks to LogoLogo we were able to treat 36 young people to tickets to Blackpool FC’s home game against Stoke City where they witnessed the team pick up an extremely important 3 points. Participants were once again provided with a meal pre match before making their way into the stadium. Many of the individuals were attending their first ever Blackpool game and got involved in the excellent atmosphere created by the home crowd, with one individual commenting “this has been the best day ever!”.
PL Kicks U16 tournament at Burnley
On Friday 17th February a group of our PL Kicks participants went to Burnley FC in the community to take part in a U16 tournament made up of 8 teams from all over the North West. The team progressed through the group stage after winning 6 and drawing 1 game throughout the morning, with lots of talent on show and good football being played throughout. To break up the day, participants were provided with lunch, took part in a wheelchair basketball match and sat in on an educational workshop.
After the break we progressed onto the semi finals where we met Blackburn Rovers and after a slow start our forwards found their shooting boots by sending us through to the final in a 3-0 win. The final was a different story and the team performed from the first whistle and romped to a 6-0 win against PNE.
Get Involved:
Get Vocal
Our weekly men’s talking group session has seen a recent increase in attendance. During the past month, we have welcomed four new participants who have started to regularly attend the group on a Monday evening.
Blackpool FC players also wore limited edition warm up tops to show their support for Get Vocal and Puma’s ‘Stronger Together’ campaign. These shirts have been donated to participants who regularly attend the Get Vocal sessions, with the remaining shirts being sold in the club shop and all proceeds being donated to the Trust to support the delivery of the group. In addition to this, we have also provided branded beer mats to local match day pubs to promote the group and encourage more men to attend.
Pan Ability session restart
On the 21st of February, we reintroduced our Adult PAN-Ability sessions at Aspire Sports Hub for over 16’s living with a disability. Sessions are delivered by qualified Community Trust coaching staff who specialise in disability football . Come and join us, Tuesday’s 5pm – 6pm.
Did you see?
Tower Above
Two young people have recently completed our Tower Above programme with both of them attending 20 mentoring sessions and achieving the goals set out in their Personal Development Plans. Both young people are now regularly attending PL Kicks sessions as well as playing for a grassroots football club and their school football team. It is great to work across the Community Trust, continuing to engage these young people.
Rachel Irving from Revoe Learning Academy had some positive words to say about the programme and support provided, “Revoe has worked with Dan from Tower above previously and had every confidence in working with the service again. There is always great communication from Dan with the sessions and the information that is shared with us from the sessions are beneficial and are shared with the class teacher. Dan has built up a good relationship with the family which in this case has been imperative to support K through this tough time in his life”.
Meanwhile, two new young people have recently started on the programme by attending their induction, which included a stadium tour and overview of what they will be taking part in during the programme
Sporting Memories
At our Sporting Memories session this month, we were visited by Blackpool FC legends, Dave Tong, Tony Green and Tommy Hutchinson. Our participants were able to ask the former players questions about their careers, favourite memories and get pictures.
Fit Blackpool
Throughout February we started three new cohorts. Fit Blackpool is a free 12-week weight management programme which includes a discussion-led workshops followed by a physical activity sessions. The course aims to improve your eating habits, increase your activity levels, reduce your weight and waistline in an environment created to support each other to stay on track.
Our graduate group from our previous cohort were treated to a Blackpool FC 1st team game for all of their hard work and dedication which was against Rotherham on the 11th of February.
Premier League Primary Stars U11s Girls Football Tournament
In February, we held the BIGGEST PLPS U11s girls tournament EVER! We invited 20 teams from 19 primary’s schools across the Fylde Coast to Stanley Park to attend our Year 5 and 6 competition. The group stages were held across the morning and were played in fantastic spirit, with some brilliant football on display. The event was a great way to showcase girls football in the town. From this, teams progressed to the knockout stages with Stanley Primary School and St Nicholas C of E Primary School competing in the final!
A massive well done to the winners St Nicholas who will now go on to represent BFCCT at the regional competition on 6th March at Preston North End, with a chance to progress to the finals later in the year at Watford FC!
New Sessions
Tiny Tangerines
We have now expanded our Tiny Tangerines provision. Sessions are now available for 18 month olds – 7 year olds! Click here to find out more or to book a place.
Walking Football
It was great to see so many participants return to the home of Walking Football in Blackpool this February, as the sessions recommenced at our new Aspire Sports Hub. Attendance has been great and it’s clear to see that the group have enjoyed being back at the facility.
MOVE MORE
Muslim Recreational Football Session
We have now started supporting a Muslim Recreational Football session. Through consultation with members of Blackpool Mosque, it was established that there was a need to develop this session. Members used to play recreational football weekly, but cost soon became as barrier to this so participation stopped.
We welcomed 14 players down to Aspire Sports Hub on the first night. Throughout the first session there was lots of laughter, enjoyment, and some great football on display. We now look forward to seeing this session develop, welcoming the group down for a weekly recreational football game. Through feedback gathered, players are looking forward to being able to play football again, getting fitter and developing friendships.
One of the players said “It was nice to be able to play football again. We used to play every week but had to stop, so to get this opportunity again is great”.
Pride Football
On 04/02/2023, BFCCT attended Blackpool Pride hosted at Winter Gardens. BFCCT held a stall aiming to establish the barriers the LGBTQ+ community face when it comes to exercise and football. We also took down their inflatable dart board, which drew in huge crowds of people enjoying themselves.
Based on consultation, there was a want for fitness classes and football sessions for the LGBTQ+ community. 4 members of this community have registered their interest in joining the LGBTQ+ football session which is in the process of being developed.
NEW PROGRAMME: Tackle Your Weight
In February we agreed to launch ‘Tackle Your Weight’, in partnership with Blackpool United Against Fat. Tackle Your Weight is a weight loss aimed football session running from Aspire Sports Hub, launching on 02/03/2023. Sessions will then run every Thursday, 7pm – 8pm consisting of fitness through football and small sided matches. This session is for males with are aged 18+ with a BMI of 30 or above.
Blackpool Football Therapy: Female Football
We are continuing to support Blackpool Football Therapy with their delivery of weekly recreational female football session. The session is open to anyone no matter their ability, aiming to get females playing football in a friendly and fun environment. The weekly sessions take place on Wednesdays, 8pm – 9pm, getting attendances of 15+ females every week.
