The newest site in our Premier League Kicks provision was a hive of activity when the Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner paid a visit to make a big announcement.
Stockton Town Football Club has only been playing host to Premier League Kicks sessions for just over a month, but is a familiar space for Matt Storey who went to the sixth form college next door when leaving school.
“It’s been great to see Stockton moving up the leagues in recent seasons. My family have season tickets here and my parents just live over the back. It’s a fantastic set up, a brilliant little site,” he comments, shortly after joining session with some of the regulars, or a regular as you can be just a few weeks in.
The reason for Matt’s visit was to announce an extension of the support his office has afforded to the Foundation for a number of years; a new four-year package worth £24,000 a year.
“My office has formed a close relationship with MFC Foundation over the years.
“That bond has not only allowed us to request that many of the sessions are directed to areas of need but has also enabled us to see the value of MFC Foundation’s work first hand.”
He was keen to mix in with the participants, as well as share the great financial news.
Soon after taking part in a drill organised by Jamie Lake-Varley, an education and employability activator with the Foundation, Matt commented: “That was great, it was the first time I’ve played football in a little while but thoroughly enjoyed it. Maybe my better days are behind me now, though.
“Programmes like this give the young people a focus, something to do. Whatever we can do give people something to do, somewhere positive to go, is a good thing.
“We’ve moved into Stockton because the programme works. The badge of the football club works. The youngsters are much more likely to buy into the work of the Foundation than they are with other youth groups or councils.
“It’s about the football club. It’s a community thing, it’s part of our area that everyone buys into. So when the Foundation comes out and does this kind of outreach work, it has so much more impact. The Boro is part of everyone’s lives.”
Jamie is also a local. A Stockton lad who understands the community he now works in.
“I’m from Stockton,” he reveals. “I can see the impact it has on the youngsters of the area, it keeps many of them off the streets. I’ve been there myself, you sometimes don’t know what to do with yourself and that can lead to some anti-social behaviour. This gives then focus.
“We want to create an environment where they’re not just turning up for something to do, we want it to be an environment where they can progress and grow as people. I see the impact. It’s good to know I can provide that for them when I didn’t have something like that.
“There’s some really good footballers too!”
This agreement also marks 10 years of partnership between Cleveland OPCC and MFC Foundation Premier League Kicks.
“It’s a partnership which has made a difference to so many young people,” said Eve Allen, MFC Foundation’s youth engagement coordinator. “The programme creates opportunities for young people who are at risk of youth violence and/or from high-need areas to regularly engage not just in football, but sport in general, as well as mentoring and personal development opportunities.
“There are proven results, a lot of hard work goes in to making it happen and to have the continued backing of the OPCC allows us to expand to a different site and work ever more closely with people who not only share but live our values and we’d like to sincerely thank them once more.”
If you would like to know more our Premier League Kicks provision, please e-mail enquiries@mfcfoundation.co.uk
