Wednesday, 30 June 2004.
Young women from one of the most deprived boroughs in the country, Tower Hamlets, are being given the chance to gain new skills and qualifications for employment, improve their lives and become role models for younger generations.
Hope Powell, National Team Coach for the England Women's Senior, Under-21, Under-19, Under-17, Under-15's, is supporting The Prince's Trust Tackle Life Football Project. She says:
"I would like to see more young women, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds, represented far more sufficiently in professional and community sporting activities.
"The Prince's Trust is also providing some great opportunities to gain real and specific football skills, as well as boosting their confidence and self worth, in a safe environment."
The young women, largely from ethnic minority backgrounds, have joined a pioneering project set up by The Prince’s Trust.
The youth charity, nationally recognised for its work in engaging young people through sport including football, rugby and cricket, has announced the first Prince’s Trust Tackle Life football project, for women aged 16-25 who are Tower Hamlets residents.
The Prince’s Trust Tackle Life football project is a five-week football coaching course, which started on 21 June 2004, with a six month follow-up programme for those who complete the course. The project will use football to develop the skills and increase the employability of those young women who are hard to reach and struggle to find employment.
Over the five weeks, the young women will work towards improving their chances of employment by gaining the FA Coaching Level 1 qualification, gain an understanding of a healthy lifestyle and put their skills to use by organising a football tournament for members of their community.
The Prince’s Trust Tackle Life football project will also raise the awareness of and deal with issues surrounding racism, sexism and drugs. It will seek to encourage the young women to use their spare time in a positive way to reduce boredom, ill-health and isolation.
On successful completion of the course, The Prince’s Trust will provide a Progression Advisor to work with the young women for a further six months.
Together, they will create action plans to progress job opportunities, further training and life skills. They will also be given the opportunity to work towards the FA Coaching Level 2 qualification.
To find out more about The Prince’s Trust and its work with young people and football,
click here or call 0800 842 842.