The funding from the SFP Community Initiative award will allow Berwick Rangers F.C. to deliver a range of new initiatives, the first of which involves the delivery of an exciting new “mini-kickers” programme for primary and nursery schools in the Berwick area. A local coach will deliver the project to around 500 children over a 48 week period and the club fully expects to see outcomes such as improved confidence, greater engagement in physical activity and sport and the kids generally having great fun! Linked to this initiative, the same coach would be commissioned to encourage greater liaison between local youth teams and a budget would be provided by the club to support this work by hosting two networking events for club coaches and officials. Another initiative will see further activity in July and August of next year, with the club extending the reach of their current summer soccer camp at Shielfield which will be offered to 150 players aged from 3 to 10. The final initiative being planned involves the publication of a “Reminiscence Book” which will be prepared by the Club Historian and Match Programme team and the plan is to distribute 200 copies to local care homes, sheltered housing and carers of those with dementia. The project will be carried out in consultation with the Alzheimer’s Society and the Football Memories project and is based on the excellent work described by the SFA Football Memories Project. John Bell, Vice-Chairman of the Club and Secretary of the Berwick Rangers Community Foundation said “We are extremely keen to improve the relationship between children and football and particularly want to encourage their involvement with the local football club. We have an ageing fan-base and it is vital for the future of the club that we introduce fans to senior football at a young age and these new initiatives will allow a huge number of children, young people and adults to access the game and support the growth of football in Berwick and the surrounding community.”
