Blackpool FC Academy and Blackpool FC Community Trust have teamed up in an exciting new venture. The partnership will see Academy scholars engage with a variety of BFCCT community programmes with participants of all ages and backgrounds. This will provide scholars the opportunity to learn more about Blackpool, as well as positively engage with members of the local community by having a regular presence at several community projects. We hope this work will not only further support the local community but also allow the scholars gain new experiences and develop their own skills in relation to communication, team work, relationship building. We hope these valuable skills will not only help players on the pitch, but also in other areas of their life away from the football field and future careers.
Will Cowell, Education, Safeguarding & Player Care Manager:
“In collaboration with the Blackpool Football Club Community Trust, we embarked on a fulfilling journey, allowing our scholars to make a meaningful impact within the vibrant community of Blackpool. By partnering with the Community Trust, we tapped into their exceptional programmes, designed to offer crucial support to the community. It is with immense pride that our scholars actively contribute to the implementation of these programmes. Through this collaboration, we not only empower our scholars but also strengthen the ties that bind our football club with the very community it represents.”
On Thursday 22nd December we held our annual Christmas Meal for vulnerable, lonely and isolated people in and around Blackpool in the Matthew’s Suite at Bloomfield Road stadium. We had over 70 people attend the meal and the Academy players came to support with serving food and chatting to the participants.
Rachel Leaver, Community Navigation & Living Support Manager:
“The players were fantastic, they were confident talking to new people, greeting them and ensuring that they had all of the food and drink that they wanted. The players will also begin to regularly attend our Family Hubs from the end of January and engage with children and families. The Family Hubs are a support to families who are struggling with the cost of living crisis. Families come to the Moretti Lounge at the stadium for a free hot meal, drinks and crafts and games. The players will spend time chatting to families, playing with the children and serving the food. We are so grateful to Will and the Academy players for their continued support.”
Brett Whitehead, Community Cohesion & Youth Sport Manager:
“I’m delighted with the joint work we are doing with the Academy. We now have scholars attending some of our weekly PL Kicks sessions, which provides free football to young people across Blackpool every night of the week. Some of the scholars have also been Kicks participants themselves when they were younger in their hometowns so it’s great that they are familiar with the programme and the benefit it can have on young people’s mental and physical wellbeing. Our participants loved having the lads down at the sessions and joining in with them and really looked up to them.”
Harry Norris, Blackpool FC Academy Player:
“Every Monday me and two of my teammates show our faces at PL Kicks. The whole point of this scheme is to keep young people away from the streets which can limit antisocial behaviour in the area of Blackpool. As we play for Blackpool FC, it is a great honour to turn up and give back to the community, however, also provide the kids with some sort of role model they can look up to. Ultimately the main reason we do this, is to put a smile on the kids’ faces, you never know what is going on behind the scenes in terms of family and other personal situations. Therefore, it is vital we turn up and play our part by making them smile, laugh and enjoy their down time by having a kick about with us. I’ve had numerous conversations with many of the kids. I’ve told them to never give up on your dreams and always believe in yourself. I thoroughly enjoy this side of football as I can get a better understanding of different backgrounds and cultures.”
