SOLIHULL Moors have restructured to become a Community Interest Club (CIC) – a club run by its supporters and for the benefit of everybody in the Solihull Borough.
Since the financial problems which beset the club two years ago a band of professionals and die hard supporters have worked tirelessly to financially stabilise the club but equally importantly, to make Solihull Moors an integral part of the local community.
This has seen strong links forged with Solihull Council, our local MP Lorely Burt, West Midlands Police Force and Colleges in both the north and south sides of the Borough.
Mark Fogarty was brought in as Community Development Officer and following his experience in similar roles with Birmingham City, Coventry City, Walsall and Wycombe Wanderers, he identified opportunities to introduce a Schools Education Programme as part of the curriculum for schools joining up with the club.
This encompasses not just football but also multi sports such as hockey, cricket, rounders, athletics and tennis as well as agility, balance and co ordination.
To date 15 schools (500 pupils) from all parts of the Borough and surrounding areas are participating in the physical education scheme and nine qualified coaches (levels 1 – 3) have been employed to front line the operation.
So far as extra curriculum football activities, the club plans to introduce “Pay and Development” centres in the coming months.
The clubs Community Development programme has seen the establishment of a Disabled section (it is planned to enter teams for the under 13s and 16’s next season in the seven a side leagues) and also “walking” football for the over 40s. These will augment the Solihull Moors Little League, already running for the under 9s and the entire youth structure.
The scheme also embraces after school Sports Clubs, School Soccer Camps and has an unequivocal objective to ensure that these facilities are also there for those people who for a variety of reasons would not normally have the opportunity – Social Inclusion is high on the priority list, an area where Jay Denny, one of the first team squad has been heavily involved for the past 12 months.
Following on from the successful School Summer Camp in August, another will be held during the forthcoming October half term break for football mad children between school years 1 -8.
Further details will be published shortly but it is envisaged that there will be 50 places under the watchful eye of four coaches.
The club is also running a “Safeguarding” course on October 10 for anyone involved with children or child protection.
For more information on any of these initiatives call the club on 0121 705 6770 or email: [email protected].
