A School-Club Link is a process to assist a young person to move from participating in football in school to moving into an FA Charter Standard Club. There are several School-Club Links taking place across the Birmingham County this season including:
· All Saint FC
· Ambleside FC
· Aston FC
· Birch Coppice Bullets FC
· Dosthill Colts FC
· Leamington Hibs FC
· Smethwick United FC
· Solihull Juniors FC
· Stourbridge FC
· Hasbury Rangers
· Tipton Town FC
· Weddington Thistle FC
· Wordesley Wasps FC
What are the Projects Aims?
- Increased opportunities for both volunteers and players
- Individual and community wide health benefits
- Improved retention in football beyond/outside of school, through positive experience
- Improved performance levels
- Extended opportunities for socialisation, self development and teamwork
- Raise school/club profile within community
- Increased membership and volunteer base
Who is the Target Group?
Young people aged 5-16 years of age
Less likely to be participating in football for their schools
Areas with more limited opportunities
Why Create Links With Schools?
- Access to facilities
- Recruitment of new players
- Gain better understanding of your players
- Better use of equipment
- Share skills and expertise
- Help retain players at your club
- Support the school to deliver curriculum
- More chance to work with your players
- Help schools promote healthy, active lifestyle
Each year Birmingham FA writes a School-Club link plan for the county. As part of this plan, we are keen to support clubs to develop links or build upon already established links with schools. Working with schools not only extends young peoples opportunity to participate in football but also provides an excellent opportunity to help, strengthen and develop your club. The depth and the variety of the links are up to you but may include:
- after school clubs
- helping with a school team
- starting a girls section
- promoting your club in school assemblies
- starting a disability section
- running a school festival
- School – Club Links can be made with primary, secondary or special schools.
if you would like to get involved in the School - Club Link programme for the 2010/11 season please complete the expression of interest form attached in the related documents section on the right and return to Claire Mulvenna. For further information on the School - Club Line programme please contact Claire Mulvenna on claire.mulvenna@birminghamfa.com.