Martene Carroll

On the afternoon of Sunday 3^rd December, JRF hosted a Community Coaches continued professional development event on Observation, as part of the new ‘Real Talk’ programme, incorporating the Stonebridge Huddle.

Thirty budding football coaches attended the session hosted by the FA Coach Development (Diversity & Inclusion) Team and benefited from first-hand knowledge from former professional footballers Zesh Rehman, Jerome Thomas, and Jamal Campbell Ryce who all hold roles in the game since retiring.

The former players gave valuable insight and top tips on subjects including coaching, recruitment, and progression within the game as well as information on networking and providing pathways for the next generation.

Many of the young people who took part signed up for ongoing mentoring with the FA who are striving to provide more coaching education and courses that are accessible to the local community.

This is the third Community Coaches course hosted by JRF over the last three months as the level of interest and interaction from future coaches continues in their quest for continued professional development in this field.

Peter Augustine, Coach Development Officer at the FA said.

“Today’s event showed the appetite for coaches’ education. The idea of these events is to give coaches access to Official FA CPD at a time and place that suits them. Having ex professionals who understand the coaches and who can share their stories, gives the coaches inspiration and a deeper knowledge of what they need to do to be successful.”

Thanks to funding from Young Brent Foundation’s One Flow One Brent, Wembley National Stadium Trust, the Hyde Foundation, and the FA, young up-and-coming football coaches are being offered some ‘Real Talk’ on what it takes to follow a career into the beautiful game.

Last week the JRF Team took ‘Real Talk’ on the road when they attended a Careers Fair organised by Alperton Community School in Wembley.

The ‘Real Talk’ Careers Talks form part of JRF’s ‘Passport to Success’ programme which has recently received further funding from Young Brent Foundation and One Flow One Brent, following the success of the first phase of the programme from 2022 to 2023.

The school hosted a wide variety of organisations and businesses including the Jason Roberts Foundation, to provide students with information on careers, training, Apprenticeships, and volunteering opportunities for a wide range of industries, to spark interest in the young people attending.

Career aspirations varied greatly from over 200 young people present, with many who showed interest in a wealth of industries including engineering, health, interior design, architecture, as well as sport.

For eighteen of the young people aspiring for a career in the sports industry, they were invited to attend the Community Coaches continued professional development course hosted by JRF at Bridgestone Arena. The training programme offered the opportunity to learn more about the profession from experts in their field, including three former professional footballers; Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Emile Heskey, and Zesh Rehman.

For these lucky eighteen and all the other young people who spoke to the JRF team at the Alperton School Careers Event, they will be invited to future ‘Real Talk’ sessions hosted by JRF through their ‘Passport to Success’ Programme.

NOTE

If you are interested in attending a ‘Real Talk’ session or if you are a business/organisation that would be prepared to deliver a Careers Talk for young people in Brent, please contact martene@jasonrobertsfoundation.org

Walking Football Caribbean over 50’s Team triumphant at Winter Nations Cup Walking Football Tournament – Cardiff, Wales.

Team Caribbean participated in their second major tournament this year and were represented by two teams at over 50s and 60s levels, which makes the achievement even more notable as many of the other nations have been playing for years.

The Caribbean teams travelled up on Friday, 1st December and the tournament took part place on Saturday, 2nd December at the University of South Wales, Cardiff, Wales, in absolutely freezing conditions.

Braving the wintry conditions, the tournament got underway with the over 60’s team narrowly losing their first two games against England and Sweden, putting up good performances against Wales, but it wasn’t quite enough to progress.

The over 50’s were undoubtedly the outstanding team of the whole competition dropping just two points in their 1-1 draw with Sweden, 3-1 win against tournament favourites England, 4-0 win against Australia and 2-0 win against host country Wales. This over 50’s team across two tournaments have not been beaten in open play. Their only loss coming by way of penalties in the quarter final of the World Cup of Nations 2023. They have succeeded in putting the Caribbean as one of the world’s formidable forces in this fast-growing sport.

Kenny Dyer was the tournament top goal scorer with five goals and Mark Taylor, 50’s captain was voted the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

The Caribbean Islands were well represented by players in the UK diaspora originating from Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago.

Speaking on behalf of the Walking Football Caribbean Management Team, Mike Adams, Head Coach said,

“We knew we were capable of this, and it has come incredibly early in our development. We have a flare and an energy that truly reflects our people and the Islands we originate from. Like the great West Indies cricket teams, we have come together to do battle and give us visibility in a sport where we are more than competitive, we’re the benchmark. The camaraderie has been there from the outset, and we can’t wait to spread this message to our community, here in the UK, the diaspora and at home in the Caribbean.”

The event was very well organised with nineteen nations taking part from across the globe. The health benefits and messages this sends cannot be overstated. The Caribbean 60’s had a 70-years young, Mike Stafford bringing his youthful energy which was infectious.

The playing of the National Anthems and greetings was particularly uplifting. As the Caribbean was multiple nations, a version of David Rudder’s ‘Rally Round the Flag’ was played.

The Caribbean Teams are most definitely the new kids on the block at Nations level of walking football and have already made big statements. Growing the game in the Caribbean Community amongst 40, 50, 60 and 70 somethings, both male and female is the goal. The physical, mental, and social health benefits are enormous, and Walking Football Caribbean want to champion that from the front. This is just the beginning.

On the evening of Monday 16th of October over 250 guests from the local Brent community headed to BOXPARK Wembley for JRF’s Better Health & Wellbeing Event. 

The last time the JRF Team hosted an event at the popular venue was for their Inspire to Achieve Heritage Project in 2022 when Paul Merson, one of the celebrated footballers, took to the stage and opened up to the audience about his mental health battles.

This time local brent residents shared personal and touching stories about their health journeys which included mental health, the menopause, diabetes, cancer, dementia, and Sickle cell.

Supported by Quintain Services, Brent Health Matters, and Wembley National Stadium Trust, the Better Health & Wellbeing event marked a series of local initiatives delivered by the JRF Team for the benefit of the community that has physical activity, health, and social interaction for all ages at its heart.

The Brent Health Matters and Public Health Teams were on hand to offer health checks and screenings whilst the audience were treated to a wonderful live performance by Grammy award winner singer Junior Giscombe, who belted out hits such as ‘Mamma used to say’ much to the delight of the crowd.

Cherrelle Amo from Hillside Performing Arts was on hand to warm up he eager crowd with a dance routine, before taking to the stage with some of her elder participants who have enjoyed online armchair aerobics with Cherrelle during and since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nine Forbes and his Run Club were also out in full force and shared some of the stories that make the ever-growing group a family.

John Licorish and June Farquharson spoke about tackling health inequalities and promoted the Man and Van Prostate service currently in Brent.

Mayor of Brent, Cllr Orleen Hylton and ex-Gogglebox star Sandra popped in to take park in the activities on offer, as the health checks continued until 10pm.

With health information and screenings, wellbeing, exercise, music, refreshments, and entertainment available, who says Monday nights are boring!

Otis Roberts, CEO of the Foundation said; “Our communities are taking health very seriously and as a charity that puts community first, we do what we can to support them in their quest. We would like to say a big thank you to Quintain – Wembley Park, Brent Health Matters, and Wembley National Stadium Trust for supporting this event, and helping us to bring communities together and engage with the more isolated and marginalised residents.” 

The Jason Roberts Foundation (JRF) recently partnered with the Us Charitable Trust (https://www.theuscharitabletrust.org/) to run a stall at two Careers Fairs organized by the Trust.

The first event on the 10^th October was held at Newman Catholic College (https://www.ncc.brent.sch.uk/) where Pupils from Year 7 to the 6th form had an opportunity to speak to JRF CEO Otis Roberts and one of their sports coaches, Nine Forbes, as well as local Colleges, the Army, the Police, and other organisations, in their quest for different higher education and career pathways.

The students were given challenges and questions to ask the organisations in attendance, to help build their confidence and communication skills.

It was a homecoming for former student Otis Roberts who attended the school previously called Cardinal Hinsley.

The next Careers Fair was held on the 18^th October at Neasden based Crest Academy (https://crestacademy.e-act.org.uk/) where JRF joined other organisations to offer pupils career pathway options and advice.

The students expressed interest in a variety of careers from medicine, engineering, and media.

The JRF team took along a replica World Cup trophy which attracted aspiring young footballers who hope to one day get their hands on the real thing.

Several students showed interest in the variety of volunteering roles available at JRF and the team will follow up on these enquiries over the next few weeks.

JRF would like to thank Janet Macleod, Development Director at the Us Charitable Trust for inviting them to partner at the two Career Fairs along with the other organsations in attendance, as well as staff and teachers at both schools for accommodating the events and giving their students a chance to get first-hand information on some of the career opportunities available to them.

The Us Charitable Trust exists to mobilise marginalised young people through the development of transferable life skills and cultural and social capital; equipping them with the confidence and freedom to fulfil their dreams and secure a bright and meaningful future.

For more information visit https://www.theuscharitabletrust.org/

On Sunday 17^th September the JRF Team hosted the ‘Stonebridge Huddle’ at Bridgestone Arena. This collective group of local organisations have formed the ‘Stonebridge Huddle’ to collaborate and share resources for the benefit of the local community.

JRF, Connect Stars, and Hilltop Circle joined forces with Ultra Education and Hillside Performing Arts to provide activities, services, and volunteers that the local community can access.

The Football Association (FA) provided a Coaching Pathways session for men and women who have faced challenges on progressing in the coaching world.

Many young people enjoyed the sports activities on offer including tennis, football, and table tennis before taking part in a workshop for budding entrepreneurs on how young people can start a business.

The Nine Run Club delivered an exercise programme whilst promoting their sessions, and all of the organisations that make up the ‘Stonebridge Huddle’ co-designed a programme of activities for local young people.

Hilltop Ladies played a thrilling football match versus East London followed by coaching advice and refreshments for over 300 people who took part in the day.

For more information regarding these organisations visit:

JRF – www.jasonrobertsfoundation.com

Connect Stars – https://connectstars.org/

Hilltop Circle – https://hilltopcircle.co.uk/

Ultra Education – https://ultra.education/our_mission/

Hillside Performing Arts – https://www.hillsideperformingarts.com/