Four young leaders are all set for a life changing experience this weekend when they depart on a coaching trip to Malawi with The Football Association.
Emily Simpkins, Prathiv “Storma” Khiola, Rebecca Todd and Ted Grizzell all fly to the African country on October 21 having been selected for the trip at The FA’s annual Young Leaders Camp in Ascot recently.
The project is part of the ‘Changing Lives Saving Lives’ programme which aims to educate youngsters in Africa and FA National Manager for Education, Donna McIvor, explained more: “They will deliver two football festivals to over 120 girls to raise the profile of girls’ football in Africa.
“The ‘Changing Lives Saving’ Lives programme is also about educating young people on the issues of HIV/Aids and this will be included in the programme.”
The four 17-year-olds were chosen ahead of 100 football volunteers at the camp and Malvern’s Ted Grizzell can’t wait for the trip to start: “I feel so privileged and proud to have been given this opportunity.
“My week at Ascot was something I will never forget as the practical advice and guidance given by The FA was of the highest quality.
“I got into football because I just love the game so much. I don't really think of it as volunteering, I just think of it as something that I enjoy,” said Ted who manages and coaches children’s teams for Malvern Town Wanderers.
Emily Simpkins is a volunteer at Derby County and looking forward to swapping the Midlands for Malawi: “I believe I will learn an awful lot about myself as a person and I’m determined to make a difference while I’m there.
“I would definitely recommend others my age getting involved with volunteering. The feeling of achievement is very rewarding as is knowing that you have made a difference.”
Rebecca Todd volunteers at Hazlemere Girls in Buckinghamshire and works with players who have disabilities: “It’s so rewarding because the kids seem to get so much out of it and it really opens your eyes while making your own problems seem so insignificant.
“The disabled kids are a role model to us all because they are always so happy and trying to get the most out of life.”
Prathiv Khiola has a number of level one coaching certificates in a variety of different sports including cricket and tag rugby but his football sessions with Bosworth Community Sport College in Leicester helped clinch his place on the trip to Africa.
“When I was told my jaw hit the floor and I didn't pick it up until a week later,” said “Storma” who was also selected for this year’s Ascot management team having first attended the camp in 2006.
“I can’t wait to go, it will be a totally different environment to what we’re all used to and an experience that I won't ever forget!”
We'll have more from the Young Leaders when they return from Malawi.
