Roosevelt Sigsbert was previously a CITC Kicks participant and started attending sessions back in 2012 when he was 14 years old.
In 2016 he became a part-time staff member, helping to run the same sessions he used to attend.
CITC caught up with Roosevelt to find more about the impact CITC sessions have had on his life, once as a participant and now as a part-time coach.
Why did you used to go CITC Kicks sessions?
Most of my friends at the time attended the Platt Lane session weekly, I was dragged along and got thrown in goal early days. Being in an atmosphere where football brought the community together was something that brought joy, laughter to everyone. We learnt that we are one big community within South Manchester. We may have all had different beliefs, race and social injustice but we always felt like we are still one community.
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What did you enjoy about them?
The atmosphere of the session was integral for me. I knew going to Platt Lane I was safe. I knew I was going to an environment where I was going to learn something new every single week.
How have they changed/impacted your life in any way?
At a young age I wasn’t the most outgoing person. I was very reserved and kept myself to myself and that was honestly something I felt comfortable with.
A few of my friends told me to come to the Platt Lane Kicks session, I was hesitant due to finding it hard to socialise with people. I remember walking into my first session and looking around realising that a lot of my peers already attended and most of the coaches were familiar to me because they we’re from the community.
After a few years of attending Platt Lane, I decided to become a volunteer for CITC. I had to the learn the craft of being a community coach and was therefore sent to different CITC sessions around Manchester to work with different coaches and groups to learn what makes a great community coach. At the age of 18 I then became a part-time community coach for CITC, coaching the programme that I used to attend myself and I’m still here six years later.
How does it feel going from a participant to a coach?
The transition from being a participant to a coach was strange at first but gradually I understood that my role and aim is to inspire others who were like me, attending the sessions within their communities. I believe every participant that comes through the session has ambition of their own that they want to achieve, I was one of those kids. Now that I’m fortunate enough to work for CITC I want to see the next generation be able to achieve their goals and ambitions, just like I did.
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What does Black History month mean to you?
Black History Month for me is all about appreciating and recognising black excellence within our communities.
What does CITC mean to you?
CITC means a lot to me. It brings me hope and joy, firstly through being a participant and now as a staff member.
Why do you think it’s important that CITC supports the community in the Moss Side area?
By CITC supporting the community in the Moss Side area, it is giving the community a voice and a safe space to feel inspired and worthy. That is something so important and something that will keep the community unified.
City in the Community moves with city youth to empower healthier lives through football. To find out more, visit www.mancity.com/CITC or follow them on social media @CITCmancity.
