It was a hugely successful Easter period for the Colchester United Football in the Community team, as nearly 1,200 people took part in their courses over the holidays.
Over the two week period, the U's community scheme offered up a wide range of activities for people of all ages, including our exclusive - and hugely popular - Sammie Szmodics Striker Camp!
In the first week of the holidays, 336 people participated in a three day holiday course at our Shrub End Community Sports Centre, including Girls Only and Goalkeeper sessions.
120 youngsters aged 3-10 attended FREE holiday activities which included sports such as dodge ball, handball and multi skills at FirstSite.
Elsewhere, 75 children benefitted from attendance at our FREE Food and Fun programme, this programme provides children with a day of physical activity along with both a nutritional breakfast and lunch provided by Colchester United Football in the Community.
Our first ever Sammie Szmodics Strikers Soccer camp was a huge success with 40 attendees enjoying an exclusive one day camp with Sammie attending for the final hour of the day.
The activities didn't only take place in the local area, with 115 players from our Boys Development Centre attended a two day training camp which concluded with fixtures hosted at the Shrub End Community and Sports Centre against Stevenage FC.
And our Premier League Kicks programme represented us in a national event hosted in the Midlands playing against other professional clubs.
After a couple of days rest, our Community coaches were back in action in week two of the holidays, when nearly 500 people took part across those five days.
158 participants attended a three day holiday course at Shrub End Community and Sports Centre and the JobServe Community Stadium. With first team player appearances from Frank Nouble, Ben Stevenson, Luke Norris along with the entire Youth Team squad.
The Development Centres were back in action, with 45 players from our Boys and Girls Development Centres attended a exclusive trip to the FA national training Centre St Georges Park in Burton.
Players experienced a day in the life of an elite footballer training on the David Beckham pitch, along with a behind the scenes tour.
Then 70 players from our Girls Development Centre attended a two day training camp which concluded with fixtures hosted at the Shrub End Community and Sports Centre against Essex FA PDC.
Once again, it wasn't just football on offer, with 80 participants aged 3-10 attended FREE holiday activities which included sports such as dodge ball, handball and multi skills back at FirstSite
And finally 30 more children from Clacton benefitted from attendance at our FREE Food and Fun programme.
Thanks to everyone who participated - we're now busy planning for the Whitsun and Summer holidays, so take a look at our Official Soccer Schools website for more details.