Colchester United's Football in the Community programme has enjoyed a hugely successful 2017 and is now stepping up its preparations for a positive 2018, working in Colchester and across the local area.
Over the past twelve months, the U's players have been regular visitors to holiday and term time courses, as well as the broad range of exciting programmes that the community programme works on.
The U's and Football in the Community recently appointed four more first team players to specific programmes as our reach continues to grow across the area.
Rene Gilmartin, Cameron James, Frankie Kent and Mikael Mandron will all now play their part in the continued success of the FITC scheme.
FITC Overall Ambassador – Rene Gilmartin
Colchester United Football in the Community is a registered charity that helps 6,500 people each week to achieve their goals through sport, providing high quality sporting provision around Colchester and North East Essex.
Working in the heart of your local community, you can rest assured that all our provision will be delivered by highly qualified staff with a wealth of experience in developing people of all abilities.
Currently employing nine full time staff with over 50 years of community development experience within Colchester and a further 21 part time sessional employees delivering 450 hours of activities each week.
Our Mission is:-
''To enrich the lives of the people within the communities we operate through physical activity and the brand of Colchester United''
Schools Sports Programme – Ambassador - Kane Vincent-Young
Currently working in 60 primary schools a week delivering a variety of different sports. This programme has our highest number of participants.
Premier League ‘Girls’ Programme – Ambassador - Drey Wright
Funded programme through the Premier League, which offer free female only session in secondary schools and selected venues.
Development Centre Programme – Ambassador - Sammie Szmodics
Advanced coaching for selected players which feeds the club academy system. Currently 38% of Academy players have come through this programme as well as six of our scholars.
Premier League ‘Kicks’ Programme – Ambassador – Cameron James
Funded programme through the Premier League, which offers free football sessions in areas of need and deprivation. Teaching participants about social action, street crimes, drug and alcohol abuse.
Soccer Camp Programme – Ambassador – Mikael Mandron
Various sessions delivered in the schools holidays across several venues, including Shrub End and WHCS.
Grassroots Development Programme – Ambassador - Tom Lapslie
Weekly grassroots development for children aged 4-14 years delivered at our own venues, this is a feeder to the Development Centre Programme.
Premier League Primary Stars School Programme – Ambassador - Craig Slater
Funded programme through the Premier League, over the next three years we will receive £215,000 to deliver this programme into primary schools. The programme will consist of teaching mentoring, afterschool and breakfast clubs, healthy eating workshops and football festivals hosted at Shrub End.
Football College Programmes - Ambassador – Frankie Kent
We operate two football college programme from Thurstable Sixth form in Tiptree, one male and one female team training each day whilst studying further education at the college. The team play weekly fixtures in the British College league representing Colchester United.
EFL +Sport and Learn Programme – Ambassador - Sam Walker
Funded programme through the EFL Trust, delivering to 900 children in schools year 5&6 the +Sport and Move programme helps those involved learn about important of healthy eating, and exercise.
Walking Football Programme – Ambassador - Luke Prosser
For male or females over the age of 50, one of the fastest growing forms of football in the UK, not only does it improve fitness levels but also mental health and well-being through the social events to the programme. We currently operate a group from WHCS who are Southern champions and also run a programme from the Tiptree indoor dome.