Sunderland Football Club, through its charitable arm the SAFC
Foundation, is lending its support to a new and exciting initiative –
the “Young Volunteer Challenge”. The programme aims to assist young
people aged 18 and 19 years old who are experiencing monetary
difficulties within their family home and would benefit from financial
assistance to undertake the equivalent of a “Gap Year”.
This new government objective, co-coordinated in Sunderland & Gateshead
by Springboard Sunderland Trust, is being piloted in only nine areas
throughout the UK.
The programme offers young people, who satisfy the criteria requirements
and have completed post 16 education, the opportunity of becoming
involved in nine months of work based placement activities in their
chosen career interest. In return for their commitment, they will be
receive a weekly allowance and travel expenses, with an added cash bonus
on successful completion of their experience.
Brian Watson, the YVC project manager for Springboard Sunderland Trust
is delighted with the support he has received from Sunderland AFC:
“With the backing of such an important and highly prestigious community
organisation as Sunderland Football Club, I feel that this programme
will now open many doors for young people who are struggling to fulfil
their chosen career aims.”
One of the first young people to take up the challenge is Brian
Loughlin, aged 18. Brian has a lifelong interest in football and
recently undertook a week’s trial with SAFCommunity. He worked alongside
SAFCommunity’s qualified and experienced coaching staff, learning
football coaching skills with a view to working with youngsters in the
future. Brian also observed the Black Cats’ pre-match warm-up routine
prior to the recent league game against Rotherham and was welcomed to
the Stadium of Light by Argentinian midfielder Julio Arca. Following
his successful trial period Brian has been accepted as full-time
volunteer coaching assistant.
Commenting on his placement with SAFC, Brian said:
“I’ve always wanted to be able to coach football for a living and my
weeks trial was brilliant! The SAFCommunity staff have been fantastic
and I’ve learnt a lot from them. They are teaching me how to coach and
I hope to go on to gain my professional qualifications and take up
coaching as a career. I’m absolutely delighted to have been taken on
full-time and I’m sure it will be a great boost to my career.”
Bob Oates, Director of SAFCommunity added:
“Supporting this new programme provides an excellent way in which
Sunderland Football Club can engage more young people who are not only
interested in football but in many other aspects of SAFC’s wide-ranging
community based activities. Brian has done exceptionally well and we are
delighted to welcome him to the team.”
