The programme aims to provide support to youth zones, supporting staff and participants as well as allowing CITC to engage in the community in a holistic youth engagement setting rather than just on football pitches.
Martin Ingham-Griffiths, Community Outreach Manager said: “The youth zones are a key strategic partner to deliver our kicks programme across the city.”
At the sessions the coaches support and lead a range of activities, such as football, multi-sports, art and music.
Speaking about the programmes Community Coach, Dior Burton, said: “We aim to engage young people in positive activities and have conversations around any issues they are dealing with, outside of session, providing a mentoring aspect to the youth work as well.”
Three sessions a week take place around Manchester, with CITC staff attending Youth Zone sessions at Mahdlo Youth Zone, Manchester Youth Zone and HideOut Youth Zone, with each sessions engaging a different group of participants and reaching a different area of Manchester.
Mahdlo Youth Zone
Since the 18/19 delivery year CITC have provided supporting coaches as part of the Premier League Kicks programme on a Wednesday night from 6pm – 9pm every week, during the senior sessions.
CITC coaches have driven the female football provision at Mahdlo in the past two years, with the creation of a girl’s football session on the Wednesday evening.
During the pandemic, CITC were able to continue delivery at Mahdlo as they invited vulnerable participants into the centre, coaches worked in small groups with these young people to give them positive opportunities. Additionally, coaches delivered online workshops to local members from the facility.
Manchester Youth Zone
CITC coaches have been delivering at Manchester Youth Zone since the 18/19 season also, supporting as part of the Premier League Kicks programme every Monday from 6pm-9pm.
The coaches have taken a lead of the multi-sports, the gym access and created a new boxing session within the times.
Throughout the pandemic, CITC have adapted the session timings to suit the needs of the youth zone and support the junior sessions as well as the senior sessions.
HideOut Youth Zone
The most recent Youth Zone partnership began in October 2020, with the coaches supporting the Friday night session from 6-9pm, delivering across the multi-sports and football.
Although a new partnership, the pandemic has driven the development of the relationship. Throughout January, February and March, coaches delivered to invited groups of young people on a Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon, as well as the regular Friday night session.
During this time, CITC’s female coaches were able to build positive rapports with the female participants which will be developed into new projects going forwards, such as a girls only football session and podcast made by the participants.
Commenting on the sessions, one participant said: “I like CITC coming to the sessions because they are engaging with you, make the activities more fun, active and challenging.”
Overall, each sessions aims to deliver fun, engaging sessions, connect with young people and providing them a place to come, join in multi-sports activities and speak to a member of the CITC team or a Youth Zone team member.
