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Published: Friday, 01 March 2024 10:12

SCHOOLS UPDATE - 4 MORE SCHOOLS WORKING WITH THE KI

One of the main ambitions of the KI, from its inception, was to be able to work with local schools in assisting them in improving the lives of their children, whether that be mentally or physically.

2 school teams for Bayside Academy set up with kit, equipment and coaching supplied by the Kids Initiative

KI coach Andy White and Hillbourne head teacher Laura Bennett together with new and reconditioned boots donated to the school

Over time the KI has developed a number of incentives under its Schools Program to achieve both objectives. From its free football sessions to setting up school teams and from its School Award Tickets to the free boots available through its Boot Room scheme, the benefits to schools working with us is huge. It has taken time to get the message out to schools but in the past few weeks we have been delighted to be working with 4 more Poole schools in a number of ways.

Oakdale Junior and Hillbourne Primary Schools both have new, energetic and forward looking headteachers and we have supplied both football boots and trainers for them to lend out to children and School Award Tickets to reward children for a variety of achievements. We are talking further to both about providing free coaching and football sessions.

Heatherlands Primary is another one to take advantage of the Schools Award scheme. In addition the KI and Poole Town FC Wessex, our junior's club, are one of three clubs selected in Dorset to run a new, FA pilot program called Play On, an 8 week course designed to get schools and clubs working together to get more girls in football. Heatherlands is our partner school in this pilot and the course will be run by KI coach Andy White starting in March.

St. Edwards in Canford Heath is another school we had not had engagement with before until we sponsored a recent THRIVE course there at the end of January. In addition to donating £1,000 towards covering the cost of providing the 8 week, early intervention course both Richard Gale, and first team coach James Ellis, attended one session to address the issues surrounding exercise, healthy eating and self-image. The following week, first team coach Joe Roach, attended St. Aldhelms school in Parkstone and gave a similar talk to a THRIVE course being held there. Again, the KI has donated £1,000 towards the cost of delivery of this course.

Another school we have returned to is Bayside Academy in Turlin Moor. Having provided the kit and coaching to set up 2 new teams last year, coach Dan Walker, returned for half a term to coach this school year's new boys team.