Kids Initiative and Community News Archive 2024

CHARITY RACE NIGHT

Details

Published: Sunday, 10 November 2024 09:50

RACE CARDS AT THE READY FOR CHARITY RACE NIGHT

Poole Town FC’s Charity of the Year for this season is University Hospitals Dorset’s BEACH Appeal for the new hospital block at Bournemouth Hospital, opening in 2025.

The funds raised will go towards the toys, games and furnishings, which the NHS doesn’t provide, for the new children’s ward.

Our main fund raiser for the year will be a Race Night in November where we hope to raise £5,000 towards our appeal total of £6,500.

Any funds raised on the night will be matched by a donation from the Gale Foundation Trust up to a value of £2,500. Tickets available for the night priced at just £5!

For more information please contact: richard.gale@pooletownfc.co.uk

NEW POOLE MP VISITS KI TRAINING

Details

Published: Sunday, 10 November 2024 09:47

POOLE MP NEIL DUNCAN-JORDAN VISITS KI MONDAY EVENING FOOTBALL COACHING SESSIONS

From left to right: Richard Gale, Neil Duncan-Jordan MP and Andy White

Poole’s new MP, Neil Duncan-Jordan, took time out of his very busy schedule to come and see our free Monday night football in action. Neil is a football fan himself and is very keen to see sport provision increase.

This is the second meeting that Richard Gale has had with Neil, the first being back in August where, amongst other things, they discussed Poole Town’s plans for a new community stadium at Creekmoor.

Richard said ‘I am very grateful to Neil for giving us the time he has and he seems really keen to make a difference to the residents of Poole. He certainly understands the importance of sport for not only people’s physical health but their mental one as well.

Thank you to one of our main sponsor’s, Pitching In, for helping us arrange the visit

MORE FREE FOOTBALL SESSIONS

Details

Published: Sunday, 10 November 2024 09:43

MORE FREE FOOTBALL COACHING SESSIONS ON TUESDAY EVENINGS

Another long-term aim has been achieved recently with the start of a new free session, for boys in school years 4-6, on Tuesday evenings. Aimed at boys who do not play regularly for grass-roots teams, it gives these children a chance to play football that they otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to do.

Within days of its announcement the session was fully subscribed and there is now a waiting list.

Andy White commented ‘If a child doesn’t belong to a grass roots football club there is very little opportunity for children to play football outside of school.

These sessions give kids who perhaps don’t have the ability, the money or the parent availability to play for clubs to have a fun game of football.’

ANDY WHITE JOINS THE KI STAFF

Details

Published: Sunday, 10 November 2024 09:35

AFTER A LONG ANTICIPATED MOVE ANDY WHITE JOINS THE KI STAFF

In a long-anticipated move, Andy, who has been a coach for the KI for several years now as well as Vice-Chairman of our youth organisation PTFC Wessex, is embarking on a new venture working with several charitable organisations, one of which is the KI.

KI director Richard Gale commented ‘This is a huge development for us as having Andy on board for 2-3 days a week means that we can expand the work the KI does, especially our involvement with schools.

One of our key aims is helping schools to attract more interest from girls into playing sport, especially football.

NEW SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM FOR HILLBOURNE

Details

Published: Sunday, 10 November 2024 09:32

NEW SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM AND KIT FOR HILLBOURNE SCHOOL

Hillbourne school in Poole becomes the third Poole school to have a team equipped by the KI.

The school doesn’t have a team currently so there is much excitement amongst the pupils about the creation of this new one which enable them to play competitive matches against teams from other local schools.

In addition to the full kit, the KI are providing footballs, corner flags and lino flags as well.

PIRATES OF POOLE CHEQUE PRESENTATION

Details

Published: Sunday, 10 November 2024 09:27

PIRATES OF POOLE  present a cheque for £2500 after fundraising efforts

Through the course of the last year, The Pirates of Poole, have been raising funds from various events for the benefit of several local charities.

We are extremely grateful that this year the KI has been chosen to be one of those charitable organisations to benefit.

At the presentation night in October, Andy White & Richard Gale received a cheque for a whopping £2,500 which will be vital in helping us to continue with the free football coaching we offer.

Poole Town FC Wessex Ability Counts Foot Golf Day

Details

Published: Wednesday, 18 September 2024 19:18

Click to enlarge

PTFC Kids Initiative Secure Funding For Family FUN Day Of Foot Golf

On Sunday 28th July, Poole Town FC Wessex Ability Counts Team headed off to Swanage for their end of season trophy awards ceremony. The combined this with a fun day out playing Foot golf which was enjoyed by 26 players and their friends/families at no cost to them.

This was able to happen thanks to the fundraising by Poole Town FC's Kids Initiative, who were successful in securing £2,500.00 from Trident Community Fund.

Manager Kev Tipper (pictured enjoying his hole in one effort), said the whole group enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

All of us at Poole Town are proud of the achievements of this group.

POOLE TOWN FC BACKING NEW COMMUNITY SPORTS FACILITY AT CREEKMOOR

Details

Published: Friday, 05 July 2024 11:04

A New Community Sports Facility at Creekmoor

Representatives of Poole Town Football Club, YMCA Bournemouth, and the Gale Foundation Trust CIO recently submitted a concept plan for a community sports village in Creekmoor as part of BCP Council’s Local Plan consultation.

The organisations are now seeking support and investment to enable the delivery of this scheme.

At present, Poole Town Football Club does not have its own space to operate from. In addition to the men’s first team, the club have an Under 19’s side as well as two ladies’ teams who all struggle to find pitches to play and train on due to the severe lack of sports facilities within BCP.

A dedicated space to harness all these teams, as well as the 21 junior teams of Poole Town FC Wessex, would result in a tenfold increase in the good work of the Club, and provide space for increased collaboration with other community organisations.

It's Not Just About Football, It's About Community

As well as a new football ground and training space for Poole Town Football Club, the concept includes increased nursery facilities, a community hub, a multi-use games area, cycle and walking links, a sports centre and sports village comprising of independent sport and recreation providers.

It's About Supporting Families

Poole Town Football Club has already demonstrated the value that this scheme would deliver to the conurbation. It has supported thousands of local families in the past year through its Kids Initiative Community Interest Company (CIC). The CIC exists to involve local children in the fun of football and provide support to those facing physical, emotional, or financial hardship.

This year alone, the Kids Initiative has already run approximately 200 free football coaching sessions for children aged five to 13. The Club runs hour-long classes at three venues a week, as well as providing free-of-charge coaching to schools. Last year Bayside Academy in Turlin Moor benefitted from a six-week long coaching course for a new team that the Kids Initiative helped set-up, and Heatherlands Primary School was able to offer pupils access to an eight-week programme as part of an FA Pilot scheme.

It's About Delivering Quality Care

The Football Club plays an active role in the community and holds the FA’s Accredited Club 3 Star status—the highest community kitemark the FA bestow. The power of football goes far beyond the sport. For children who are struggling, the club provides a physical and mental outlet, and access to a group of trusted, supportive, caring individuals who they grow to listen to and learn from. In addition to free coaching, Poole Town Football Club also facilitates coach and player attendance at several early intervention courses held in Poole secondary schools during the year. As well as offering time and expertise, the Kids Initiative has also donated £3,000 towards the cost of the courses over the past 12 months.

It's About Helping More Local Schools And Organisations

Gareth Sherwood, CEO of YMCA Bournemouth, has commented on the work of the Kids Initiative saying:

“All the evidence suggests that the more we invest in the development of children and young people, the better our society will be in the long term. I am so grateful to the Club for the ongoing, longstanding, and purposeful work it is doing with children and families in the community.”

Poole Town Football Club’s work with schools also enables children to benefit from free match tickets, and access to new and reconditioned kit and equipment.

Hillbourne Primary School, situated between Creekmoor and Broadstone, is a recent beneficiary of Poole Town Football Club’s support. The Club supplied the school with 20 pairs of football boots, school award tickets, and free family vouchers to Poole Town matches, encouraging pupils to further engage in football as a healthy outlet. The Club is also delighted to be providing the coaching for the school’s after-school football sessions.

Laura Bennett, head teacher at Hillbourne Primary School, said:

“Poole Town Football Club has enabled us to offer our children so many more opportunities than they’d usually have access to. The response from our pupils has been outstanding, and we’ve seen huge benefits on an individual and school-wide level.

“Richard and the team have provided a direction for the school when it comes to getting more pupils involved in sports. Their eagerness to work with the community is amazing and we’re incredibly thankful for the generous support. We look forward to developing our relationship with the club even further next term.”

It's About Building A Better Future

The future of the Creekmoor scheme is reliant on support from key stakeholders including BCP Council. First, the land must be allocated for community benefit in the pending BCP Local Plan to enable the delivery of this scheme. Representations and comments made on the Draft Plan are due to be made public by BCP at the end of June 2024.