Bolton Wanderers Community Trust Kickz team recently attended the 2012 Kickz awards a prestigious national football awards at the Etihad Stadium as recognition for the Trust's delivery of the Project and the outstanding work in the community they provide along with the other 43 proffessional clubs
The Kickz Awards showcase the not only most inspiring young individuals but ALL individuals who have made a difference to their community as part of the Kickz programme.
Kickz uses the power of football to build safer, stronger, more respectful communities through the development of young people’s potential. A variety of activities, including football, other sports, music, arts and developmental workshops on issues ranging from healthy lifestyles to the dangers of carrying weapons are delivered three nights a week, all year round to over 57,000 registered participants aged 12-18 living in tough areas, with high rates of anti-social behaviour.
Thomas Defreitas won the v Volunteer of the Year in recognition of his hard work at the Bolton Wanderers Community Trust Castle Hill Project.
Thomas Defreitas - Varela amongst the other clubs Volunteers of the year 2012
Alongside Thomas's volunteer of the year award, Wolves took home the prestigious ‘Outstanding Kickz Club of the Year Award’ whilst Robin Clarke from Queens Park Rangers Kickz took home 'Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.' Winners came from all across England, including Liverpool, Reading, Birmingham, and London.
Manchester City ambassador and former Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira, Bolton Wanderers midfielder and American international Stuart Holden, the Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove and Premier League General Secretary Nic Coward were at the awards alongside other key figures from the world of football. Presented by Sky Sports’s Ben Shephard, the awards featured some truly inspirational stories of teenagers, professional football club coaches, police and local authority staff that make their communities safer and to help transform young peoples’ lives.
Stuart Holden presenting Tanyah Palisa 'Pele' Chipendo from Albion in the Community Kickz project with her Football Acheivement award
Back in 2006 Kickz started as three pilot projects in London with the Premier League partnering with the Metropolitan Police to use football as a way to engage young people who may otherwise be difficult to reach and guide them to a range of healthy and constructive activities.
Five years on there are now 43 professional football clubs from the Premier League and Football League delivering over 100 projects in partnership with the Police and local authorities across the country, with projects contributing to drops in anti-social behaviour of up to 60%.
The awards, organised by the Football Foundation, Metropolitan Police and Premier League, also recognised the strong national and local partnerships that lie behind Kickz.
Manchester City ambassador Patrick Vieira said: "Schemes like this are fantastic because as a football club we have a responsibility to try to help the kids around the local community to achieve their dreams. I am sure some of them will want to play for their football clubs, some of them will have dreams and may not have the tools to achieve them. Every kid, all around the world is playing football and as the number one sport in the world we have a duty to give back to society."
Stuart Holden Presenting the Outstanding Partner support to a representitve form Millwall FC Communtiy Scheme
Superintendent Stuart Dark, Chair of the national Kickz steering group said: "The work Kickz does is absolutely fantastic. From a policing point of view we know that it is working in our most challenged areas with our children and young people that are most likely to become the victims or involved in criminality or youth violence. So for us to actually give them a better outcome and better opportunity, it’s fantastic.
"After every Awards ceremony you realise how important it is that the kids see these schemes as their own. It all helps young people feel part of the wider community. I'm not surprised with the impact it has had because I have seen the effort and the commitment of the individuals on the ground that are delivering it."
Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove said: "The Kickz project has had a phenomenal impact on communities right across the country. Today's awards are an opportunity to recognise the enormous amount of hard work that goes into making Kickz the success it is: week-in, week-out, all year round.
"What I think is particularly pleasing is how Kickz perfectly demonstrates just how much young people have to offer when given the right opportunity. Credit must go to the Premier League, the clubs and police forces involved for the way in which they have created a programme that makes such a positive contribution in parts of the country that need it most."
Stuart Holden reading out the nominations
Richard Scudamore, Chief Executive, Premier League said:
“Kickz has made remarkable progress with an impact that is unrivalled. The Kickz Awards are all about the young people, volunteers, partners and staff involved with the programme and their achievements and positive commitment - it was an incredibly difficult job to choose winners in what was our best ever year for entries.
“I would like to personally thank all 43 professional football clubs and the national network of over 650 local partners for their ongoing support so far with Kickz and look forward to it progressing through 2012 and beyond with the continued support from the Metropolitan Police and the Premier League.”
Full list of winners:
Innovation Award: Jessica Purchase and Laura Baker, Wolves Community Trust
Inspiring Person (Aged 17+): Davis Rizzolo, Arsenal in the Community
Outstanding Police Contribution (London): Graham Willerton, Watford FC Community Sports Education Trust
Outstanding Police Contribution (Non-London): Jen Richards, Wolves Community Trust
Inspiring Young Person of the Year (Aged 12-16 Male): Jahmmal Grant, Wolves Community Trust
Inspiring Young Person of the Year (Aged 12-16 Female): Leah Bale, Reading FC Community Trust
Outstanding Partner Support: Sir Steve Bullock, Millwall Community Scheme
Football Achievement Award sponsored by Nike: Tanyah Palisa ‘Pele’ Chipendo, Albion in the Community
v Outstanding Volunteer of the Year: Robin Clarke, Queens Park Rangers Community Trust
Alternative/Non Football Programme of the Year: Viva Kickz, Everton Foundation & Liverpool FC Foundation
Outstanding Kickz Club of the Year: Wolves Kickz, Wolves Community Trust