A football initiative for children and young people has been hailed a success after receiving record attendance numbers with some participants being recommended to the Cardiff City Football Club Youth Academy.
The ‘Kick Off Centre’ programme is a partnership between Cardiff Council and Cardiff City Football Club (CCFC) Community Foundation which delivers a football development programme to children aged between four and 11 years.
The aim of ‘Kick Off Centre’ is to deliver CCFCs under-11s football programme using leisure centre staff and Council facilities whilst providing a clear development pathway for children into CCFC Academies.
Each member of Council staff receives training from CCFC Community Foundation and the Football Association of Wales (FAW) so they may deliver the sessions to UEFA standards. They also take part in regular training and workshops with the club so they continue to develop their skills.
Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells, said: “The ‘Kick Off Centre’ initiative provides children with the opportunity to participate in a recognised football programme and as well as being a pathway into the Cardiff City Football Club Academy, it also encourages active and healthy lifestyles amongst children.
“The partnership between Cardiff Council and CCFC provides a football development model that offers sustainability and development opportunities for not only the children, but the Council’s leisure facilities. The success of the project means there are now plans to make ‘Kick Off Centre’ an integral part of the football infrastructure in Cardiff.”
The ‘Kick Off Centre’ initiative was launched in April 2010 has been made an example of best practice and replicated by a neighbouring authority.
Children aged between four and 11-years-old are accepted onto the course. For more information please contact Alex Gdula on 029 20549211 or Dean Pymble at [email protected] or 02920 643652.
