Hitchin Town Community Football Club

Transcription

Hitchin Town Community
Football Club
Impact Report
1st September 2007 – 31st August 2012
Hitchin Town Community FC The Arena, Norton Road, Baldock SG7 5AU
Mission
The Statement
Future
To use the power of football/sport as a tool for social change and build a better
Football
in Education
future for the community of North
Hertfordshire.
The
Club
its involvement
in education
as in
anNorth
important
link with all
To lead
theviews
successful
development
of football
Hertfordshire
byof its
community
initiatives and
programmes
numerous
benefits including
working in partnership
with
key agenciesproviding
to provide
quality football/sport
partnerships,
opportunitiesstaffing
for all. resources, income streams and player inclusion within the
Player Pathway Framework.
To deliver the four key indicators of social development of more jobs, less crime,
better health and improved educational attainment.
Learn IT Study Support
To increase
the participation,
and enjoyment
of playing,
1.
To support
the growth ofquality
the LearnIT
Study Support
groupcoaching,
social
watching
and officiating
of football
/ sportand
through
5 key
strategies:
enterprise
with the supply
of coaches
the use
of accommodation.
2.
3.
To
work in for
partnership
the LearnITfor
Study
staff in
to Education
make
1) Football
Life 2)with
Opportunities
All Support
3) Football
funding applications
4) Club Development
5) Facility Development
To develop courses that dovetail in the Club’s Community programme.
Contents
Scholarship Scheme
1.1. To
increaseStatement
the number of students participating on the course and create
Mission
and variedForeword
exit routes for leavers.
2. new
Chairman’s
2.3. To
add an International focus to the scheme with the recruitment of foreign
Introduction
players.
4. Official Opening
3. To implement a foreign exchange programme for existing UK based
5. Community & Development Managers Review
students.
6. Partnership Approach
4. To bridge the gap between scholarship youth teams and the Hitchin Town
7. 1st
Football
Life
team byfor
introducing
an under 21’s and reserve team.
8. Opportunities
Schools
Coaching for All
9. Football in Education
1. To increase the supply of coaches to schools for both curricular and extra
10. Club Development
curricular activities.
11. Facility Development
2. To develop more school/club links through coaching sessions, Match day
12. activities
Sweating
the
and
theAsset
Study Support Centre.
The
Workforce
3.13. To
employ
a full time school liaison officer/coach with branded transport
14. The Future
Chairman’s
The Future
Foreword
I have great pleasure presenting our 1st Impact Report detailing the successful
progress and development made
by Hitchin
Town FC’s community section since
Club
Development
the
thefor
Arena
in September
2007.
Theopening
ultimateof
goal
the Club
in its development
is to achieve the FA Charter
We
have Community
seen a number
diverseThe
organisations
from this
a variety
of locations
Standard
ClubofAward.
aim is to achieve
award during
2013
both
nationally
internationally
this tremendous
which was
with the
supportand
of all
of the Club’s use
partners.
Other Club facility
Development
aimspart
to
funded
by the
Foundation.
be included
in Football
the Football
Development Plan are as follows:
The Arena has proved to be a genuine community asset that has been able to
1. Toa achieve
promotion
to theincluding
Conference
Football
the 1st
team
serve
wide range
of people
adults
and League
childrenbywith
disabilities,
within
5 years.looked after children, excluded youths and veterans.
ethnic
minorities,
2. hasTobeen
reintroduce
the period
U21’s and
reserve
to the
Pathway focus that
It
an exciting
in the
Club’steams
history,
withPlayer
a community
Framework.
has used
football as a tool to tackle social issues. We are looking forward to the
year
ahead
wherethewe1stwill
continue
to build
on through
the greatthe
foundations
3. To
increase
team
supporter
fan base
communitythat have
beenprogramme.
laid over the past 5 years and maintain the
reputation
we have
for being
Club Town Youth FC and both
4.
To strengthen
thegained
relationship
with aHitchin
of the
people.
achieve
Community Club status.
5.
To increase the number of teams affiliated to Hitchin Town Community &
Development section.
Facility Development
It is the desire of Hitchin Town Football Club’s Executive committee to replicate
the success of the redevelopment of The Arena at its home stadium of Top
Field in Hitchin.
Terry Barratt
1.
To secure the long term future of the Football club by owning a long term
Chairman
lease or the freehold of Top Field.
2.
To redevelop Top Field to the necessary standard that will permit entry into
the Conference Football League.
3.
To create a dedicated 9V9 pitch located on the grass area at the Arena with
the required football equipment and protective fencing.
Introduction
The Future
Official Opening
Opportunities for All
The new Football Development Plan will include the following Opportunities
for All initiatives:
Youth Diversionary
Background
Hitchin Town Community Football Club is a ‘not for profit’ company limited by
1. To propose and lead on the delivery of new initiatives through the North
guarantee managing and delivering the projects and programmes contained within
Hertfordshire Youth Diversionary Group.
Hitchin Town Football Club’s Football Development Plan (FDP).
2. To deliver the Friday Night Project on a weekly basis throughout the year at
A successful grant application to the Football Foundation and partnership funding
numerous venues located in North Hertfordshire.
from Hertfordshire County Council in 2007 resulted in the construction of a state of
3. training
To continue
work
theused
Hertfordshire
Youth
Offending
Team in the
the art
facilitytothat
haswith
been
as the ‘hub’
for the
Club’s Football
providing
positive future pathways for youth offenders.
Community
programme.
To consists
build on of
theacurrent
Little
Project by
increasing
number
The 4.Arena
full size
3rdWestmillions
generation artificial
pitch,
junior the
sized
grass
of hours
contact
time and
facilitating
new
activitiesrooms,
including
a Street
Artand
pitch, 4 team
changing
rooms,
2 match
officials
changing
disabled
toilet
workshop.
disabled shower,
Study Support Centre, Café / Bar area, laundry room, plant room &
parking
coaches
and 70+ cars.
5. for
To2host
the B-Festival
on an annual basis incorporating football, music and
activities
for youths.
A revenuedance
tail was
attached
to the capital grant awarded to the Club and has proved
vital 6.
in the
the FDP
andtoallowing
theCounty
Club to
respond
to social
needs of
Todelivery
provideof
coaching
staff
the Herts
Youth
Service
to deliver
the local community.
Summer Youthoria activities during school holidays.
This 7.report
the impact
investment
had onthroughout
a run
To will
leadillustrate
the delivery
of PANNA
/ streethas
football
North
down facility
and the programmes that have evolved from it. I
Hertfordshire.
believe that the model we have implemented at the Arena in
Baldock
be replicated on our current site at Top Field,
BMEcan
Projects
Hitchin with the support of our existing partners, our landlords
1. To continue supporting Khalsa Youth with the delivery of its BME
and the local community.
programmes.
Andy Melvin
The success stories detailed within this report demonstrate
2. To link the Little Westmillions Project with the North Herts Minority
and
Managing
what can be achieved for the benefit of our community and we
Ethnic Forum programmes.
look forward to creating a facility available to everybody.
Director
3. To expand the Striving for Unity Cup
4.
To increase the number of donations to Kit Aid and Football Gambia.
In May 2008 we had great pleasure in launching our facility with an event that saw
former International footballers Ricky Hill, Kingsley Black and Tony Galvin joined by
former Luton Town FC players Rob Johnson and Wayne Turner cutting the ribbon to
officially open The Arena.
A number of activities took place during the day with two local schools
and various sections that form part of Hitchin Town FC There was also
a short presentation delivered to guests, showing the vision for the use
of the Arena and the community programmes attached.
Community & Development
Managers Review
The Future
Partnership
The Future
Approach
Although this report covers the
Opportunities
period fromfor
September
All
2007—August 2012 we
acknowledge
Ability
Countsthat is has been underpinned by the previous 7 years of part-time
voluntary community engagement.
The aimTown
of our
firstproud
Impact
Report
is not toofjust
informCounts
currentsection
funders,
Hitchin
is very
of the
achievements
the Ability
sponsors,
club officials,
and supporters
about
the tremendous
work
that is
and
has produced
a film staff
that documents
how the
section
began and has
grown.
beingHertfordshire
delivered, butFA
to intend
also demonstrate
to potential
new funders
/ sponsors
The
to use the film
as an awareness
tool for
other and
indeedinthe
at large Hitchin
the valuable
contribution
the football
club has
clubs
thegeneral
Countypublic
and promote
Town’s
work as a potential
blueprint
to
and
is
making
to
the
local
community..
follow.
We recognise
important
it is funding
to publicise
and raiseand
theLuton
profile of
The
Club was how
fortunate
to receive
fromour
thework
Bedfordshire
both our ClubFoundation
and our funders
/ sponsors
to ensure
future income
andBook
the
Community
in June
2012 towards
the delivery
of a Scrap
sustainability
forcommence
the projects
andinprogrammes
that create positive change for so
project
that will
later
the year.
many people.
The project will see members of the Ability Counts section create a scrapbook
I am the
verynumerous
proud ofphotographs
the progress
our community
section
has made
andofI the
am
from
collated
over the years
to reveal
the story
lookingCounts
forward
to thefrom
nextconception
year with toexcitement,
tackling
new Support
issues in this
Ability
section
date. Utilising
the Study
challenging
time.
Centre,
the computers
and its staff, the participants will also gain an ASDAN
I would appeal
to any
body reading
thiscourse.
report to contact the Club and join our
qualification
whilst
participating
on the
adventure whether it be a financial, physical or an administrative contribution.
The Club is constantly looking to evolve the Ability Counts section, working
closely with the Herts County Council Adult Day Care Services and will aim to
achieve the following:
Finally, I would like to thank the
1.
To enter
the adultthe
Ability
Counts section into an 11-a-side competitive
Football
Foundation,
Big Lottery
league
Fund,
Awards for All, our strategic
2.
To increase
theour
number
of weekly training sessions.
partners
and all of
commercial
sponsors
for their
continued for
support
3.
To create
opportunities
all members of the Ability Counts section to
and over
the past
participate
in 5a years.
Scrapbook Project
4.
To increase the capacity of the Clean Sheet Project
Mark Burke
Community &
Development
Manager
Junior Ability Counts
The Junior Ability Counts section requires a considerable amount of staff
resourcing due to the nature of the players disabilities and the need for 1 to 1
sessions for some players. This makes the running of the sessions very costly
even with the help of the volunteer workforce.
Therefore, it is essential that funding can be sourced to continue the current
sessions and indeed expand the section to make it accessible to more children
with disabilities.
The Club is currently investigating the possibility of creating a cerebral palsy
specific team by working in partnership with CP Sport to add to the Junior
Ability Counts section.
1.
To source funding that will finance the longevity of the Junior Ability
Counts section.
2.
To create a Cerebral Palsy specific small-sided team.
3.
To recruit additional staff to the volunteer workforce to assist with training
sessions, matches and festivals.
Throughout the delivery of the Football Development Plan we have been
committed to creating clear and purposeful partnerships with a variety of
organisations ranging from local football teams, sports bodies, local
authorities, schools, colleges, charities, youth
groups and commercial companies.
Partnership
The Future
Approach
Historically Hitchin Town and Luton Town have had
Within this final section of our
reportrelationship,
we will outline
the main
the Clubin
a good
playing
each aims
otherofannually
that will form the new 5 yearpre-season
Football Development
Plan to with
commence
friendly matches,
Lutonfrom
loaning
July 2013. It is the intention young
to buildplayers
on previous
plans
and create
to Hitchin
todelivery
gain experience
anda live
using
document to work to that will
map theTop
futureField
of Hitchin
Town Football
Club
Hitchin’s
for reserve
and youth
team
and its position both Nationally
and within the local community.
matches.
The relationship evolved into a partnership with the
Football for Life
relocation of Luton’s Academy and Centre of
Player
Pathway
Framework
Excellence
for 8-16
years to the Arena in 2007 and the Elite Scholarship Scheme
foris the
16-19
yearsintention
in 2010. to maintain and expand the current Player Pathway
It
Club’s
Framework
increasing
number
teams associated
the left
Clubthe
whether
In 2012 the by
Academy
andthe
Centre
of of
Excellence
for 8-16 to
years
Arena itto
is
by a back
directtolink
to the
playing
structureScheme
or through
a partnership
move
Luton
butClub’s
the Elite
Scholarship
is still
thriving today with
approach.
the course utilising all of the facilities available at the Arena.
The main areas of the Framework that the Club wishes to develop are as
follows:
1.
To gain promotion to step 3 of the National pyramid by the 1st Team.
2.
To create a reserve team feeding into the 1st team.
3.
To reintroduce an U21’s team bridging the gaps between the Scholarship
Scheme teams and the newly formed reserve team.
4.
To forge more partnerships with local clubs playing at steps 6 & 7 of the
National pyramid.
5.
To increase the number of youth teams associated with the Community and
Development teams
6.
To enter the adult Ability Counts section into an 11-a-side competitive
league
7.
To support
the County
with itsMatthew
plans to Upson
grow the
number
Former
Luton Town
youthFA
players
(Stoke
Cityof &females
England),
participating
in
football.
Keith Keane (Preston North End & Eire U21) and Curtis Davies (Birmingham
8.
create teams
from
theon
Primary
to the
participate
hosted and
by
City To
& England
U21’s)
were
hand toClinic
launch
openinginofFestivals
the Academy
TheofArena.
Centre
Excellence.
Partnership
The Future
Approach
Football for Life
The origins of the Arena date back to the 1980’s
Coaching
when Baldock Town FC built the original grass pitch
and clubhouse structures. Baldock enjoyed a period
The expansion of the Playerof
Pathway
is reliantthe
onleagues
the recruitment
of
successFramework
and rose through
and at their
coaching staff to manage thepinnacle
proposed
new
teams.the
Additional
will
they
reached
Southerncoaching
Premier roles
League.
be created as follows:
Kevin Phillips
1. Reserve team x 2 coaches
During this time a young Kevin
2. U21’scut
team
coaches
Phillips
hisx 2teeth
playing for
Baldock
before
being for
soldthe to
3. U15’s &
U16’s coaches
Community & Development teams
Watford
for £10,00
and forging a
4. U7’s team
x 2 coaches
very successful career playing in the
Premiership and for his country.
Former playersinthat
have
Unfortunately
2001
thebecome
club folded and the ground became derelict. In 2002
parents are
encouraged
to return
Hitchin
Town
FC secured
the lease to the facility and located its Football in the
to the Club toprogramme
take up coaching
Community
there. In 2003 a new senior club was formed from the
roles withinBaldock
the youth
sections.
successful
Town
Youth set up and the club began the journey through
the leagues again. In 2011 Baldock Town returned to its home at the refurbished
Arena to train and play its League matches. 2011/2012 saw Baldock win the
Herts Senior County League Premier Division and promotion to step 6 in the
Administration,
league
pyramid.Officiating
However, and
the Supporting
Club were denied promotion to the Spartan
South Midlands League because the 3rd generation artificial pitch was deemed
The creation
newregulations.
teams to add to the Player Pathway Framework will result
unsuitable
by of
FIFA
in the need to recruit more volunteers to administer and officiate the additional
Reluctantly
the the
Club
decided
matches and training sessions. Parents of players
representing
Club
at theto
relocate volunteers
and with itsfor
partnership
various youth age groups tend to be the most common
these roles.
approach
its aTop
The Club does look to retain these volunteers even
if theirHitchin
siblingsoffered
do leave
Fieldeither
stadium
to Baldock
team that is part of the Player Pathway Framework,
in their
roles asto aid
promotion.
administrators and officials or as supporters of its
theambition
1st team.ofVolunteer
retention
Baldock
still trainPlan.
and the 2nd
will be a high priority in the forthcoming Football
Development
team play out of the Arena.
Herts Senior County League Champions 2011/2012
Partnership Approach
Stotfold play in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division. Hitchin
have developed
a similar
Learn
IT relationship with Stotfold as they have with Luton
except
in this
Hitchin
are the senior side. Stotfold are an important club
Rena Niles
- case
Centre
Manager
in Hitchin
Pathway Framework with players moving between
Sarah Town’s
Page -Player
Tutor
both Karen
clubs. Brown - Tutor
Bickerstaff- Tutor
Louis Lee
RobJosh
Woodward
Shelagh Mackey - Fund Raising
Hitchin Town not only utilise the partnership approach with local football clubs
as illustrated in its Player Pathway Framework but we have also adopted the
same approach in delivering our Community programme.
The Community agenda was set by focusing on the delivery of the four key
Facility
indicators of social development, more jobs, Arena
less crime,
better Staff
health, improved
educational attainment. The Community programme leads on two of the Clubs 5
John Burke - Pitch Maintenance
Key Strategies, namely Opportunities for All and Football in Education.
Lead Partners
Disability Projects
Herts County Council & Angels Support Group
Youth Diversionary Projects
Child UK & Herts County Council-Connections
BME Projects
Khalsa YouthVolunteer
FC & Kit Aid
Workforce
Community Coaching
Teams
Carly Melvin – Office Manager
Liam McDevitt U16’s
– Administrator
Football in Education
Callum Donnelly
Jay Welch U16’s
Playing for Success
Mick O’Donnell U13’s
Scholarship Scheme
Current
Town 1st
team players Josh Bickerstaff, Louis Lee and Callum
Lisa Hitchin
Hemmings
- Administration
Donnelly have all come through the Player Pathway Framework via Stotfold’s 1st
team. From September 2012 both Hitchin and Stotfold will train at the same time as
each other at the Arena giving the opportunity to train separately
or combined.
Conor
De Lacy -
Matt Hayes Holiday Course Coaches
Letchworth Garden City Eagles
in the Herts
Robinplay
Wainwright
Senior County League Premier
MarkDivision
Teelingalongside
John Bennet Tennis
Baldock Town . The 1st team
and reserves
Baljinder
Singhtrain
- at
Steve Gibbs Rugby
the Arena and they have staged
season- friendly
MarkpreSmith
Chloe Matthews Trampoline
matches and League matches
when
the weather -was
Josh
Bickerstaff
bad during the winter. Letchworth
are also part- of
Lewis Endacott
Hitchin Town’s Player Pathway Framework .
Andy Compton - Pitch Maintenance
Linda Lee - Facility Maintenance
Scholarship Scheme
School / Club Links
Liaison Officer
Officer
& Clinics
& Tournaments
Projects
& Camps
Camps
Camps
Priory School & Extended Schools Consortiums
Roy Izzard Treasurer
Theo Peters - Scholarship Admin
Lead
Partners
John
Warren - Community Liaison
Fred
Andrews
Match Day
Herts
County
Council- &Schools
DfES (2007-2011)
Derek
Barker - Ability Counts
NHC
- (2007-2010)
Roger Odey - Ability Counts
Central Beds College - (2010-present)
Jo Crouch Ability Counts
Hitchin
Partnership
MikeSchools
Bristow
- Clean Sheet Laundry
Kev Huxtable - Clean Sheet Laundry
WithinHelen
this Cooper
report - Clean Sheet Laundry
we willADCS
h i g h Clients
l i g h t - Maintenance
Ros CrampweJunior Ability Counts
the partnerships
Jane Wareing
have created
w i t h - Junior Ability Counts
Campbell - Youth Diversionary
other Marc
community
agencies
to Castle
deliver - Youth Diversionary
Keith
our shared
a i m sSally Sloane
Holiday Camps
and objectives.
Football
The Workforce
for Life
Facility Staff
Ability Counts
Rena
Linda
Supporting
Hitchin Town
Community FC
Officiating
Andy
Learn IT Staff
Karen
Playing
Administering
Every school holiday we hold a Soccer Camp for 3
days per week at the Arena with over 400 children
attending since the opening of the facility.
Theo
Roy
John W
Roger & Mike
Rob
Football for Life
Playing—Foundation Level
Primary Coaching Clinics are based at the Arena and are available to 5 - 8yrs old boys
and girls. The clinics operate throughout the year and have seen 126 boys and 12 girls
attend since September 2007. We signpost all those that attend to either our youth
section or local clubs that we have formed a relationship with over the years.
On behalf of North Herts Schools Sports Partnership we have delivered After
School Clubs to 21 primary schools in the area, with 6 schools continuing with the
Clubs and working directly with us after funding from the Sports Partnership had
Administration
ceased.
We have been able to provide staff to officiate at School Football Festivals held in
both Hitchin and Baldock. The Festivals also gave us the opportunity to publicise the
Arena and the courses we operate from it to all those that attended.
Providing everyone with a clear and lifelong pathway in the participation of
football
Physiotherapy
Ability Counts
Volunteer Workforce
Coaching
The Club believed the most important
Volunteer
objective
Workforce
in its strategy of Football for Life
was to maintain its Player Pathway Framework and provide exit routes into other
Facility Maintenance Staff
roles apart from playing football including coaching, officiating, physiotherapy,
ground maintenance, administration or attending 1st team matches and supporting
John B &
from the terraces.
Adult Day Care Services Clients Volunteers
Hitchin Town’s Player Pathway Framework has developed over the past five years
with the Football in the Community section co-ordinating the flow from foundation
programmes including weekly coaching clinics, school holiday courses, festivals, after
school and lunchtime clubs to the management of the Scholarship Scheme for boys
16-19yrs old.
The Workforce
Derek
Football
The Workforce
for Life
Football
The Workforce
for Life
Community
Coaches
Playing—Participation
Level
HolidayHertfordshire
Course Coaches
Playing - Potential Top North
Performance
Hitchin Town
Youth section continues to grow
Conor
with 22 teams representing the Club from U7 to
U 18’s in 2011/2012. The U18’s and U16’s play
their matches in the Eastern Junior Alliance
League at the Arena, with the U16’s winning the
County Cup and the U18’s winning the League title
in 2010.
Matt
Two adult teams from the Supporters Club play in the
Hitchin Sunday League, train at the Arena in the
winter months and play pre-season matches at the Mark S
facility in the summer period.
Robin
Mark T
Baljinder
Josh
From 2007 to 2010 in partnership with North
Hertfordshire College the Club continued to
recruit boys aged 16-19 years to enrol on a
foot ball scholarship scheme and represent the
Club at U18’s in the Southern Youth Floodlit
League, at U19 ‘s in the Football Conference
Youth Alliance League and some were elevated
to play at Reserve level in the Capital Mid
week League.
The boys trained at the Arena during the day and completed their academic studies at
the college based in Hitchin. The U19’s team played their home fixtures at the Arena
on a Wednesday afternoon in the Football Conference Youth Alliance League.
The Arena hosts the Herts Advanced
Development Centre which offers additional
coaching to local players attached to various
teams aged from 5—12 yrs old. This provision
Lewis
replaced the need for the Club to operate
Enhanced Coaching Clinics.
Although the Club no
longer organises the
Enhanced C o a c h i n g
Clinics we do operate
specialised coaching
clinics in goal keeping
and shooting for ages 814 years.
Steve - Rugby
Unfortunately, the proposed girls scheme that was set to mirror the boys scheme did
not materialise due to the lack of enquiries which made the scheme unviable for both
the college and the Club.
John - Tennis
Chloe - Trampoline
However since September 2010 Hitchin Town FC have
been working in partnership with Luton Town FC and its
educational provider Central Bedfordshire College on a
new scholarship scheme that is based in its entirety at the
Arena.
25 scholars enrolled on the scheme in the first year that
saw 12 hours of football training being delivered in the
morning and 16 hours of academic study being taught in
the afternoons utilising the Study Support Centre on site.
There are currently 48 students enrolled on the 2012-2013
scheme.
An in depth description of the scholarship schemes that have been hosted at the
Arena are contained within the Football in Education section of this report.
Participation
35 years +
Top
Player Pathway Framework
Veteran
Teams
Hitchin Town FC
1st Team
Holiday Course Coaches
Our Community coaches are joined by additional coaches specialising in other
sports including Rugby, Tennis and the Trampoline on the Holiday Course
programmes.
Small Sided Match
Teams / Leagues
Holiday Courses
The Arena Facility Staff
In addition to the Community Coaches fulfilling facility staff duties as detailed
above, the ground staff maintain both the grass and artificial pitches and
supervise the volunteer workforce from the Adult Day Care Services on the
maintenance of the surrounding grounds and facility.
Local Clubs
Youth Teams
Boys & Girls
However, the Board recognises that community engagement is the foundation of
building a stronger , sustainable and successful Club and will continue to develop the
Player Pathway Framework to provide opportunities for local players to perform at
the highest non-league level in North Hertfordshire.
Advertising
The 1st team train at the Arena twice a week from July to April.
Funds
areTeams
raised through the sale of advertising space around the Arena
Veterans
including
the ispitch
perimeter,
boards
on the
building
website
A memorial
match
played
annually with
former
players
taking on
on the
the 1st
team.and
on The Arena promotional leaflets.
Performance
School/
Scholarship Scheme
Central Beds College
& Luton Town FC
The Community coaches deliver a variety of sports and physical activities on our
numerous projects and programmes whilst also being very adaptable combining
their coaching skills with facility duties at the Arena including management of
the pitch hire, bar tending, cleaning and ground maintenance.
Club Link
The area also contributes income through a share of the Pool Table,
gaming machine and sweet vending machines.
18 years +
Local Saturday & Sunday
11-a- Side Teams
National Curriculum
School Teams
& Competitions
As with the majority of sports organisations, the Club recognises the fact that
volunteers are its lifeblood and rely on them to support the successful delivery of
its community programme and projects. The Club is taking the o p p o r t u n i t y
within this report to thank all those volunteers past and present that have and do
help the Community programme flourish.
After School Clubs
The Bar Area provides a space for hospitality to visitors whether they are
participants or spectators of all activities staged at the Arena. This source
of income varies dependant on the size of an event but is a welcome
revenue stream.
Participation
Volunteer Workforce
Community Coaches
Bar Area
18 years +
Potential Top
Performance
16 - 19 years
Participation
6 - 18 years
The Workforce
The sustainability and growth of Hitchin Town Community FC is reliant on
the strength and commitment of both its paid and volunteer workforce.
Primary Coaching Clinics
Hitchin Town’s 1st team currently play in the Southern League Premier Division . The
goal within the Football Development Plan is for the 1st team to be playing in the
Conference League within 5 years. Unfortunately, the Club suffered relegation to the
Central Division of the Southern League in 2009 and did not regain its status in the
Premier Division until May 2011
Foundation
Playing - Top North Hertfordshire
Other Revenue
Performance
Streams
4 - 9 years
Sweating
Football the
for Asset
Life
Administration
The Community & Development Manager is supported administratively by
backroom staff based at the Arena, undertaking marketing, monitoring,
evaluation, registrations, bookings and staff rota and duties.
Sweating
Football the
for Asset
Life
Whilst Hitchin Town attemptOther
to identify
Revenue
andStreams
nurture playing talent through its
player pathway framework it also acknowledges the importance of encouraging
peoplePitch
to support the Club in other capacities including coaching, officiating,
Grass
physiotherapy, administration and supporting from the terraces.
The
juniormentioned
pitch hasroles
beencan
used
accommodate
ofthe
theClub and
All ofgrass
the above
givetopeople
an identityparts
within
Holiday
runthat
at the
Arena
it came development
into operation
a sense ofcourses
ownership
is vital
for since
the continued
of in
the2008.
Club and
However
the
Club
has
experienced
a
huge
problem
with
rabbits
that
its facilities.
occupy the undergrowth of the adjoining fields.
Coaching
We have former 1st team players and management staff continuing their
involvement within the Club in varying coaching roles including
working with youth teams within the Club, on community coaching
sessions, youth diversionary projects and on the scholarship scheme.
The rabbits dig holes in all parts of the pitch causing severe damage that
has forced the Club to erect temporary fencing in a small area of the pitch
which can be maintained and continued to be used. The Club is actively
seeking funding to provide a solution to the problem and enable it to
facilitate a 9V9 pitch as part of the Build the Game programme.
Richard Wilmot
Mark Smith
Dean McElroy
Examples include Mark Smith, Richard Wilmot and Dean McElroy
who have all played football for the 1st team and continued their
involvement
with the
in a coaching
We
have utilised
theClub
unplayable
part ofcapacity.
the pitch on occasions by renting
it to circus’ that have visited the Baldock area in the past 2 years.
Sweating
Football the
for Asset
Life
The scholarship scheme
Other
offers
Revenue
a fruitful
Streams
supply of coaches with current
students given work experience on the numerous coaching schemes
delivered by the community section and former students utilising the
Car Park
experience to gain employment both withinThe
the car
Clubpark
andgenerates
with external
income
organisations. Historically this exit route from
the scheme
has proved
through
PRT Norton
Way
to be a popular choice with many of the students.
delivering CBT motorcycle
training sessions within a
Successoffstories
cordoned
area of from
the car the
scholarship
scheme
include
park
during off peak
periods.
Kieran
a former
student
The
Café Fox
& Bar
benefits from
the scheme
progressed
theoftheory
elementwho
of the
course
onto
the
Hitchin
Tow
n
FC
being delivered there.
community p r o g r a m m e
coaching in schools and
Study Support Centre
becoming the lead community
The majority of use in the Study Support Centre iscoach
by Central
Bedfordshire
before
moving onto
College delivering the academic part of the Scholarship
Scheme
and
Luton Town FC, LearnIT
Barnet and
delivering its programmes that have been documented
report.
now previously
currently ina this
skills
coach
Kieran Fox
However, the centre also contributes income fromwith
otherThe
sources
including:
Football
Association.
Ridgemond Training Training Courses
Kieran’s replacement at the Club and the
Hertfordshire FA Safeguarding Courses
current lead community coach is Conor
TheLacy
Beauty
Den
Nail Painting
De
who
is another
product
of the & Skin Care
scholarship
NHCVS - scheme.
Training Courses
The Beauty Den
Conor De Lacy
Administration, Officiating and Supporting
As previously stated Hitchin Town appeal to players that have been part of the
Club’s player pathway framework to remain involved with the Club once they
have stopped playing. Administration, Officiating and supporting the 1st team
from the terraces are all roles that have been taken up by former players over the
years.
Training Courses
Hertfordshire County Council -
Standards & Schools Effectiveness
Leagues
Youth Connexions
An area the Club would like to expand on in the close season and
holiday periods is the facilitating of touring teams both Nationally and
Internationally. To date the Arena has played host to a Crystal Palace
U18’s pre-season training camp that lasted for 4 days, consisting of daily
training sessions and culminating in a friendly match against Hitchin
Town 1st Team.
Community
Safety
Campaigns
Two
commercial
companies
operate
small sided
Leagues at theTeam
Arena occupying
Hertfordshire
County
Council
Strategic
Commissioning
time slots on a Sunday, Monday and Thursday evening with a total of 48 teams
Hertfordshire County Council Adult & Family Learning Service
competing throughout the week over 11 week periods.
North Herts District Council Sports Development Team
The Herts and Borders Churches 11-a-side League have staged its Cup Final at
the Arena on 3 occasions since 2009 whilst the Stevenage Sunday League have
The positive impact made through the delivery of our community programmes
held its final once. The Hitchin Sunday League actively promotes the pre-season
would not have been possible if the Club had not received £74,547 over 3 years
match package offered by the facility to its member clubs, often staging 3
from the Football Foundation as part of a revenue tail attached to the original
matches in one day. In total the Arena has staged 104 pre-season friendly
capital grant. We would like to thank the Football Foundation for its support.
matches for local teams.
Adult Day Care Services
Community
Coaching
Schemes
BME
Projects
Hertfordshire Football Association
Crystal Palace U18’s
Disability
Projects
Youth Justice Board
Tours & Training Camps
Social
Inclusion
Group
No: ofweTournaments
No: Teams
In this section of our report
will detail the numerous
social inclusion
initiatives that have begun using 5the Arena as the ‘Hub’22
in a
Veterans
‘hub and spoke’ model of partnership work with various community
Women
2
6
agencies including:
Male Youths
2
12
Angels Support Group
Extended Schools Consortiums
Corporate Businesses
3
36
Kit Aid
Football Gambia
Charities
4
32
Khalsa Youth FC
Hertfordshire Sports Partnership
BME (Unity Cup)
2
12
Hitchin Christian Centre
Hertfordshire Police Constabulary
Ability Counts (Disability) 8
14
North Hertfordshire Homes
North Herts Schools Sports Partnership
Local Adult Clubs
1
6
North Hertfordshire College
North Herts Ethnic Minority Forum
Professional Clubs
2
24
Child UK
Hertfordshire Youth Offending Team
Artificial Pitch Hire - Events
Youth
Diversionary
Projects
Artificial
The Club’s
Pitch
mainHire
aim -isEvents
to provide and enable access to football/sport
related opportunities for all members of the community regardless of
Tournaments/ Festivals
age, gender, race, religion, sexuality or disability. The Club recognised
Throughout
the
past
years we
haveinclusion
staged numerous
small sided football
its role in being
able
to 5promote
social
by using football/sport
tournaments
/ festivalsregeneration
for a wholeand
range
of groups.
as a tool for community
development.
Sweating the Asset
To provide access to football / sport related opportunities for all members of
the community, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexuality, ability or
disability through a range of initiatives
Opportunities
Sweating the Asset
for All
In addition the Norwegian club Hodd FC have sent its U18’s squad to the Arena
with Hitchin Town community staff organising a series of training sessions,
matches and social activities for its guests.
The International flavour continued during Easter 2012 with the arrival of 8
American players aged between 18 and 22 years to the Arena, enjoying 10 days
of coaching and cultural experiences with excursions to London.
Opportunities
Sweating the Asset
for All
Artificial Pitch Hire - Resident
Disability
Teams Projects
Opportunities
Sweating the Asset
for All
Artificial Pitch Hire - Training
Disability
and Matches
Projects
AdultInDisability
addition to the Scholarship teams the Arena has been the home to a number
of resident teams playing in League, cup
andpartnership
friendly matches.
The
work between the Club
Adult
Disability
In addition
to the teams that form Hitchin Town FC the Arena has been used by
numerous
otherable
teams
training
We
have been
toboth
develop
oursessions
Ability and playing matches.
and Hertfordshire County Council Adult
LeagueDay Care Services continues
Age Groupto flourish
with
the use of the Arena
being integral to
Friendly
Matches
U9 - U12
the delivery of some of the Councils
services. The one hour of coaching
Eastern Junior Alliance
U15 & U16
originally given to a group of adults with
Eastern
Junior Alliance
learning
difficulties U14
has evolved into a
full day of activities at the Arena on a
Monday from 8.30 to 3.30pm and has
U16 & U18
resulted in the creation of a Social
Eastern
Junior Alliance
U14
Enterprise
Counts
Adults section from one training session Youth
into
three
small sided teams competing in Arlesey Town Youth
Arlesey
Town
the
following
Baldock
Towncompetitions:
Ashwell Accies
Baldock Cannon
Baldock Town Youth
Bedfordshire
FA Ability Counts League
BartonInclusive
Rovers League
Comet FC
Herts
Bedford Arms
Letchworth GCE Youth
Cambridgeshire
PAN Disability League
Buntingford Town
Luton Town FC
Coaching
Adult
PAN
Disability
Eastern
Regional
Cambridge City
Stotfold Juniors FC
League
Codicote FC
Shefford Saints
Histon Warren Trophy
Borough
Youth
Gerald
BramminghamStevenage
Day Centre
Football
Festival
Letchworth GCE FC
St Josephs Youth
Northampton Town Sixfields Festival
Luton Town FC
Wymondley Park Youth
Nirankari Sports
In addition the Ability Counts section have won trophies in the Disability
Royston Town
Female
category of Annual Sport Awards from both the Comet Newspaper and Herts
St Albans City
Arlesey Town Ladies
Sports Partnership.
Stotfold FC
Stevenage Borough Ladies
The
coaching
Weston
Youth session on a Monday now encompasses
St Martinsadults
Ladieswith mental health
issues
with over
registered
adults
Wymondley
Park60
Old
Boys players and a number
WatfordofLadies
FCwith more severe
disabilities attending from day centres to watch the football taking place from
seating
Veteransin the stand.
Corporate Matches
Season 2007/2008
Luton Town Academy
Season 2008/2009
Hitchin Town C&D
Stotfold Academy
Season 2009/2010
Hitchin Town C&D
Stotfold
Season
The day
has 2010/2011
the following structured format:
Hitchin TownMeet
C&Dfor tea & coffee
Eastern
Junior Alliance
8.30—10.00
(Friendship
Club)
U16 & U18
Season 2011/2012
10.00—11.30
Ground Maintenance working parties (The Arena & Top Field)
Hitchin TownAllotment
C&D
U15
11.30—12.30
Maintenance
Allotments
Hitchin TownLunch
C&D
Bedfordshire County
U21
12.30—1.30
Shefford Saints
1.30—3.00
Football Training Eastern Junior Alliance
Baldock TownTea
FC& Coffee before
Herts
Senior County
3.00—3.30
departure
U16
Adult 1st & Reserves
Season 2012/2013
Hitchin
Town
C&D
Laundry
& Car
Wash
services:
Sheffordthe
Saints
Eastern
Throughout
day volunteers will also
f o rJunior
m Alliance
U16
Laundry
U17
working
parties
to wash
kits County
Baldock
Town
FC and dry the football
Herts Senior
used Bocca
by Hitchin
Town at the weekendJewish
and inChronicle
the
Jewniors
MSFL
summer months another group offer a car wash
service based in the Arena car park.
Adults Reserves
Adults
Buntingford Town
Letchworth GCE FC
Halls Green FC
Stotfold FC
Wilbury Wanderers
ACO Water Management
Arena Security
Airborne Systems
BAM Construction Bet Fair
EBS New Media
Finnmeccanica
Imtech Aqua
Kelly Maintenance
The Lamp Company NFT Distribution
North Herts Homes Royde & Tucker
SEI Europe
W H Barley
Sweating the Asset
Opportunities
for All
Priory School
Hitchin
Adult Disability
Disability Projects
Income
Disability
Streams
Projects
Junior
Ability
Artificial
Pitch
HireCounts
- Usage
The Clean Sheet Project is a Social Enterprise
that has flourished through the support of the
Hertfordshire County Council Strategic
Commissioning Team funding the transformation
of an old turnstile block into the laundry room,
housing 2 large washing machines and 2 tumble
dryers. The project was further supported by the
Commissioning Team and its Learning
Disabilities Employment section.
Top Field
Stadium
Facility
Development
Funding was provided to help establish the Clean Sheet Project as a Social Enterprise
and allowed the Club to employ 3 part-time members of staff to operate the
enterprise. Two of the employees have Learning Difficulties and are supported by a
manager on a Monday and Wednesday.
The enterprise currently generates income regularly from the following organisations:
Hitchin Town FC
Luton Town Elite Scholarship Scheme
First Point USA
Hertfordshire FA
United Sports USA
Baldock
The Arena
We have also generated income from occasional washes from visiting teams to the
Arena including Crystal Palace U18’s, Pass 4 Soccer and touring teams from the USA
& Norway.
We are advertising locally to teams and other sports clubs to make the enterprise
sustainable and would welcome any new business.
in partnership
North
Sports
Partnership
and and
Angels
The Working
3rd Generation
Artificialwith
pitch
is theHerts
main Schools
source of
income
at the Arena
is
Group
club has established
a coaching
session
for children
agedby
vital Support
in sustaining
thethe
community
programmes,
projects and
initiatives
delivered
between
and 14
years old seven
with adays
rangea week
of physical
disabilities
and special
the Club.
The8pitch
is available
from 8am
to 10.30pm
and has
educational needs including ADHD andbeen
autism.
hired by numerous, diverse ranges
of customers.
Club to
attempts
All sessions are supported with the appropriate
ratio’sThe
of staff
playersto
ranging
operate
a balanced
of of
usechildren
that
from 1-1 to 1-5. In 2009 we were able
to expand
themixture
numbers
theofaims
and objectives
of its
participating in the sessions with themeets
receipt
funding
from Hertfordshire
Football
Plan
whilst
County Councils Strategic Commissioning
TeamDevelopment
and the Aiming
High
project.
generating income from more
The increase in participants allowed us to form two teams to compete in the
commercial activities. The total number
Herts Inclusive Football League playing matches in Hitchin Town kits.
of hours the pitch was used over the past
We have received some wonderful comments
parents
about
thebelow:
sessions
5 years isfrom
illustrated
in the
table
including:
Year‘I feel reassured
Mon that
Tues
Wed doThurs
Fri to help
Sat the children
Sun with
Totals
the coaches
their utmost
their
individual256
needs. My
week. To95.5
see him101
happy makes
2007/08
345 son enjoys
383.5 coming
309.5each393.5
1,884me
happy too!’
2008/09
334.5 375.5 574
394.5 299.5 122.5 222
2,323
‘It’s nice not to worry about my sons safety, knowing that his behaviour is
2009/10
266.5 329
458.5 307.5 214.5 122
142
1,880
accepted and understood although it still makes me feel embarrassed.’
2010/11
376.5 352.5 652.5 435
466.5 169.5 184
2,636
‘It is a rest from my son and I find satisfaction in
2011/12
644.5 441
609.5
542
178.5everybody
251 involved.
3,192 I
that he
gets on525.5
so well with
also find that there is no pressure put on the
andhas
they
feelhired
at ease.’
In addition to Hitchin Town FCchildren
the pitch
been
by:
‘A chance to see
himadult
being
to participate
in
Colleges & Schools
Local
andable
youth
teams
an after schoolInternational
activity without
being judged or
Professional Clubs
club teams
made to feel different
‘
Football recruitment organisations
Commercial
coaching companies
Local authorities
An Athletics Club
Charity Fund Raisers
Commercial Small Sided Leagues
Local Leagues for Cup Finals
Opportunities
for All
Facility
Development
North Herts Youth Diversionary Group
The Arena hosts the North Herts Youth Diversionary Groups meetings of
which the Club is a leading member, devising a strategy to provide local youths
with activities to divert them away from anti-social behaviour. The Group draws
on numerous agencies and organisations involved in youth work including
Hertfordshire County Councils Youth Connexions, Child UK, North Herts
District Council, North Hertfordshire Homes, Hertfordshire Police and Fire
authorities and the Extended Schools Co-ordinators before they were made
redundant. The groups common objectives are:
Promotion of Being Safe, Feeling Safe and Increase Feelings of Safety
Reduce Youth Crime, keep young people safe and prevent them from becoming
involved with crime and anti-social behaviour
Reduce Anti-Social Behaviour including alcohol and other substance misuse
related disorder
The Priory School and Hitchin Town Community
have
formed
stronginpartnership
the past 5
Increase opportunities to FC
engage
with
young apeople
positive and over
healthy
activities from age 11 – 24years
yearswith the Club using the facilities on offer at the
school including the Sports Hall, Multi Use Games
Be Healthy, Enjoying & Achieving,
Makingand
a Positive
Contribution
Area (MUGA)
the extensive
playing field to
deliver various programmes including the Multiholiday
courses, Double
Club,
for
Co-ordinated approach toSport
partners
and stakeholders
strategies
andPlaying
action plans.
Success, Dads Lads & Lasses, Youth Diversionary
projects and work experience placements.
Multi-Use
Games Area
During the delivery of the Double Club a classroom
within the Sports Hall was customised into a room
dedicated to Hitchin Town FC displaying
pictures, shirts, memorabilia and artefacts loaned by
Hitchin museum.
Opportunities
forSchool
All
The Priory
Friday Night Project
Working in partnership with Child UK, Hertfordshire Police Authority, North
Herts District Council, Hertfordshire County Council - Youth Connexions and
North Hertfordshire Homes the club provides coaches to attend youth
diversionary activities across North Hertfordshire in ‘hot spots’ identified by t he
Police and the District Council on a Friday night.
Activities aimed at 14-19 year old youths include football, cricket, basketball, and
2009
the schoolRoyston
approached
the Club
have taken placeDuring
in Hitchin,
Letchworth,
and Knebworth.
requesting the recommendation of contractors after
The Arena is utilised in Baldock as the venue hosting the Friday Night Project
being awarded funding to install a new MUGA and
attracting youths away from the local Tesco superstore car park where there had
impressed
by the construction
of the
Arena.
been instances ofbeing
anti-sociable
behaviour.
The pitch is used
to stage
the sporting
Thecafé
school
and
theis Club
area both
activities whilst the
& bar
area
used as
placecommitted
to relax andtotalk creating a
exploring
thetable
potential
improving
existing
‘chill out zone’ with
the pool
being aoffocal
point. The
police have reported
facilities
to the
benefit
parties
a significant decrease
in youth
crime
sinceoftheboth
Friday
Nightand
Project started.
with
delivery of its current projects.
The Friday Nightcontinuing
Project Tasks
arethe
as follows:
1. Identify ASB Hot Spots and deliver projects in these locations
2. Produce a diversionary activities programme tackling behaviour and
co-ordinate the activities across North Hertfordshire in a safe environment.
3. Provide information for young people on substance misuse, sexual health
awareness, career advice, and healthy lifestyles.
4.To empower young people by improving their self- confidence, self-esteem
and giving them ownership of the project
in 5. Utilise Police Officers to participate in the
project and act as mentors to the youths.
6. Implement a Monitoring & Evaluation
programme to measure the outcomes of the
project.
Playing Fields
Sports Hall
Opportunities
for All
Facility
Development
Field
OpportunitiesTop
for All
The Club has worked with the Hertfordshire
Youth Offending Team to give young
offenders the opportunity to spend their
reparation hours at the Arena facility painting
the stands, crush barriers and dugouts and
maintaining. the surrounds of the ground by
cutting back bushes and weeding..
B-Festival
In the Summer of 2010 and 2011 the Arena hosted the B-Festival an event
organised by local youths that consisted of a mixture of live music,
football tournaments, talent contests and inflatable games on the pitch.
The festivals attracted over 400 youths to the events that ran from 11.00am
to 12.00pm at night.
Once the offenders hours were spent the club
offered them the chance to play football on
the artificial pitch free of charge to encourage them to take up a positive leisure
activity and divert them from further crime. We also signposted the young
offenders to our football scholarship scheme for 16-19 year old boys as route
back into education.
A number of community agencies were on hand to provide information
on drug, alcohol and STD awareness whilst the Fire & Rescue s e r v i c e
showed a film on the consequences of reckless driving, the dangers of
arson and provided an interactive simulator for driving whilst under the
influence of alcohol.
Little Westmillions Project
The football tournament was held in memory of a local youth that had
died in a traffic incident on Norton Road.
This project has evolved from a combination of the Friday Night Project and an
event revolving around street soccer and PANNA football.
Summer Youthoria
In partnership with North Herts College and Hertfordshire Police Authority the
Hitchin
has a long
historyofinstreet
football
withmatches
the original
Hitchin as a prelude to the
Club
organised
a series
soccer
in Hitchin
FC formingFriday
in 1865
andProject
reaching
thewould
quarter
the in
very
established
Night
that
takefinals
placeoflater
the evening.
first FA Cup competition in 1871/72 it also contributed
The qualifying matches culminated in a Finals day taking place as part of the
financially to the making of the original FA cup (pictured right).
towns Olympic celebrations, with 36 youths competing in the 2v2 PANNA
tournament funded partly by Hertfordshire Sports Partnership through its
Top Field has been the home of Hitchin Town Football Club
Community Games fund. The Little Westmillions have continued attending
since 1928 and is situated in the heart of the town. The Club
sessions delivered by the Club in partnership with the voluntary group CAYPOW
occupies the ground through a lease held with its landlords the
(Children and Young People of Westmill).
Hitchin Cow Common Trust.
During the summer school holidays the Club provide coaches to deliver sports
In
the pastatapark
variety
of issues
have
the Club’s throughout
ability to redevelop
activities
events
staged
by restricted
Youth Connexions
the district as
the
as the Club
strives programme.
to replicate the
community
facilityplace
developed
part stadium
of the Summer
Youthoria
Activities
have taken
at :
at the Arena in Baldock.
1. Priory Gardens - Royston
2. Jackmans Estate - Letchworth
The aim of the Club is to create a facility that would become the hub in the
3. The Avenue Baldock
4. Bancroft Park Hitchin
Hitchin area, providing a wide range of initiatives, programmes and projects
The sessions
were
on of
average
by community.
18 youths per
park
andwould
werealsobased
with
its partners
forattended
the benefit
the local
The
Club
on the Friday
Project
model
of delivery.
ensure
that theNight
stadium
would
contain
all of the facilities required for entry
into the Blue Square Conference Football League in its goal for promotion
up the National League System.
Facility
Opportunities
Development
for All
The ConstructionBME
of theProjects
Arena from Old to New
Khalsa Youth FC
Facility
Opportunities
Development
for All
BME Projects
The Construction of the Arena from Old to New
Hitchin Town FC have worked closely with Bal
Singh from Khalsa Youth FC on a number of BME
projects in the area including school projects, a refugee
and asylum seekers tournament, the Striving for Unity
Cup and organising a charity match against a celebrity
team containing actors from the television soap opera
‘Emmerdale’. Bal has also coached on the scholarship
GrassKhalsa Youth lead on most Artificial
scheme.
BME projects
and the Club support Bal in the delivery of t h e m
avoiding duplication and adopting a true partnership
approach.
Refugees and Asylum Seekers World Cup Tournament
One of the first events to be staged at the Arena was a World Cup Tournament
for Refugees and Asylum seekers from the whole of Hertfordshire.
Hertfordshire County Councils Adult & Family Learning Service Inclusion
Team brought 60 people to compete in the tournament that saw participants
from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan, Angola, Iraq and Iran. The day proved to be
very successful with feedback reporting an increase in confidence, self-esteem
and self worth in the players. Unfortunately due to cut backs in the County
Council the tournament has not been able to run again. However the Club are
seeking funding to re-launch the event.
Kit Aid and Football Gambia
North Herts Minority Ethnic Forum
The Arena hosted a full day football workshop for 16
Grass
Artificial
children from the North Herts Minority Ethnic
Forum during the Summer holiday and continued with
a weekly hour long coaching session for another 8
weeks. Children ranging from 8-14 years old. At the end of the course the
participants were signposted to local youth football teams and our enhanced
coaching clinic.
Over the years Hitchin Town have donated old football kit to Kit Aid and
Football Gambia to distribute toPlant
adultsRoom
and children in Africa. Below pupils from
Mogra Star Primary and Secondary School in Nairobi, Kenya sport Hitchin
New areas
within
home
shirts were
and acreated
village team
in the Mombasa region of Kenya wear a Hitchin
away
kit.
the footprint
of the existing
building. These included a plant
room consisting of two large
boilers and controls for the hot
water and heating systems.
A new corridor separates the
Study Support Centre and the
parents lounge and leads to the
Artificial
Pitch
changing rooms and pitch access.
Corridor
Facility
Opportunities
Development
for All
Facility
Opportunities
Development
for All
Community
The Construction
of Coaching
the Arena Schemes
from Old to New
Holiday Courses - Football
Community
The Construction
of Coaching
the Arena Schemes
from Old to New
Holiday Courses - Multi Sports
For a number of years Hitchin Town FC’s community section has staged football
camps during the school holidays for children aged
between 5-12 years. These camps have not only
proved to be the starting point for some children’s
pathway in the Club’s Football for Life strategy but
also gives access to other children that may not
necessarily participate in football elsewhere and
therefore providing Opportunities for All.
Claude Gnapka
Working in partnership with The Priory School in Hitchin the Club has
established a Multi-Sports holiday course for 5-12 year old children. The format
of the camp sees children divided into relevant age groups and participate in
numerous sporting activities throughout the day. The sports on offer are wide
ranging and include Tennis, Badminton, Trampolines, Tag Rugby, Kwik Cricket,
Dodgeball, Multi-Skills, Basketball, Goal Ball, Volleyball and Athletics.
Former Bar Area into Study Support Centre - Front Elevation
The Arena has become a popular venue for not only local children to attend the
holiday courses but also visiting children from other countries including Sweden,
New Zealand and the USA.
The camp usually consists of 3 days of fun activities including shooting, s k i l l
tests, dribbling, matches and mini tournaments culminating in a presentation at
the end of the camp with all participants receiving a certificate, item of club
merchandise, a free match ticket for one adult and one child to a Hitchin Town
1st team game, a bar of chocolate whilst some individuals are awarded trophies
for the Player of the Week and Most Improved Player.
The Club contracts in specialised coaches to deliver the more technical sports
and rotates the groups of on average 12 children per group around each sport.
Funding sourced by the now defunct Hitchin Extended Schools Partnership
allowed the course to be subsidised to make it accessible to families that live in
the Oughton area that is recognised as an area of social depravation.
Study Support Centre - Front
We see on average 36 children attending per holiday course with varying ages and
Former Bar Area into Study Support Centre - Back Elevation
ability, our coaches adapt the course content to cater for all those attending and
make it an inclusive camp.
The original Clubhouse contained two bar areas, one was the function
room with dance floor and a smaller bar area was used as a members
area.
The main bar area was converted into the Study Support Centre that
Originally delivered the Playing for Success initiative and the members
bar was refurbished into a parents lounge.
Parents Lounge Area
Facility
Opportunities
Development
for All
Community Coaching
Schemes
The Construction
of the Arena
from Old to New
School Links
The Club works closely with the North Herts Schools Sport
Partnership supplying coaches to deliver a variety of sports sessions in local
Primary schools and is detailed within the Football in Education section of this
report.
School PTA’s have benefitted from the supply of our coaches providing ‘Beat the
Keeper’, ‘Football Target’ and Skills demonstrations at various fund raising
events including Summer Fair’s.
Facility
Development
Opportunities
for All
Community Safety Campaigns
Our Community Safety Campaigns form part of the Club’s Social Inclusion
agenda and therefore fall within our Opportunities for All strategy. The Club is
aware of its standing within the community and has undertaken various national
and local Community Safety Campaigns over the past 5 years linking the
Campaigns to the ongoing projects within the Community scheme.
Adults with Learning Difficulties
The last 3 years has seen a significant increase in schools taking up an invitation
from the Club to attend a 1st team match at Top Field and participate in an
activity with one of our community coaches on the pitch at half time.
Through our vibrant Ability Counts section we
promote
Basinsthe availability of health screening on
behalf of the local PCT, encouraging our
players to attend regular check ups. The Club
also works with North Herts People First an
advocacy organisation to forward varying
information onto the Ability Counts section
including advice on crime and transport issues.
Dads’ Lads & Lasses
In 2011/12 the Club delivered the Dads, Lads & Lasses project with the Priory
school and funded by Awards for All. The project was aimed at children between
5-12 years that lacked a male role model within their household. Estranged
fathers were encouraged to spend quality time and engage with their children
through a series of weekly coaching sessions delivered on a Saturday morning.
After the session the group would enter Hitchin Town’s clubhouse and eat lunch
together from a selection of healthy food
options. The day would conclude with free
entry to a Hitchin Town home match.
Youths
Two original changing rooms were
Minority Groups
refurbished and an extension was
Hitchin Town have supported the
Kick it Out organisation and its ‘Lets
FRANK Campaign
Kick Racism out of Football’
campaign for a number of years and
always participate in the ‘One Game One Community’ week
of action. During the Black History Month the club delivers
Toiletsreferences to black
sessions in schools that incorporates
athletes.
built for two additional changing
rooms creating four large changing
rooms.
Changing Rooms
Mary Exton JMI School
Incorporated in many of the Youth Diversionary projects are Campaigns to
educate those youths attending on subjects including alcohol, drug, sexual disease
and reckless driving awareness. Showers
The Arena
Computer Suite
Football
Scholarship
Schemes
Study Support
Centre
LearntIT
Study Support
NEET’s
Hertfordshire
Careers Service
The Football Foundation granted Hitchin Town Community FC over £565,000 worth
of capital funding towards the redevelopment of its training ground to create what is
now known as ‘The Arena’. The total project cost over £1.1 million with funding
coming from
the Active
Department of Children, Reading
Schools & Families, Herts County
Inter
Council and a bank loan taken out by the Club from Nat West Bank in addition to
White Boards
Area
the funding received from the Football Foundation.
The Study Support Centre located within the Arena was funded by the
Department for Children, Schools & Families and Hertfordshire County
Councils - Standards & Schools Effectiveness team supplying the IT
equipment that includes 9 Apple Mac’s, 5 iMacs and two interactive
whiteboards. The Club funded the construction and fixture and fittings
of the centre.
Using Football / Sport as the ‘hook’ to engage members of the community to
consider improving their educational attainment through a range of programmes
The Arena Study Support Centre
School
Curricular
Coaching
School
Extra-Curricular
Coaching
Facility
Development
Football
in Education
The funding has transformed an old, tired and run down training ground into a
modern state of the art community facility that now provides greater access to
football opportunities through the full size 3rd Generation artificial floodlit pitch,
refurbished and new changing rooms. The facility reaches out to a far wider audience
than the original grass pitch which had its obvious restrictions on use. This section
of the report will illustrate the transformation made due to the funding received.
Football
Club Development
in Education
Hitchin
Playing for
Town
Success
Community & Development (C&D) Teams
Initially the centre was used to host the ‘Playing for Success’ national
In addition
thepurpose:
Hitchin based Hitchin Town Youth section that competes in
initiative
withtothe
the Royston Crow Youth League, a new section called Hitchin Town Community
&
Development
has evolved
since 2007
at the2 Arena
in Baldock.
1. To
provide free(C&D)
after school
study support
for based
Key Stage
and 3 pupils
Eastern
JuniorLiteracy,
AllianceNumeracy, ICT and Life Skills
2. To develop
The
offers
youthand
teams
the opportunity
3. Tosection
improve
attitudes
motivation
to learn to compete on a regional basis in
the Eastern Junior Alliance (EJA) League rather than the more traditional local
4. To raise achievement levels
leagues. The EJA League provides teams and their players with an insight into
5. Toenvironment
build confidence
and self-esteem
the
and expectations
of playing at a high standard of non-league
football as experienced by Hitchin Town’s 1st team. This includes additional
training,
travelling,,
playing
at stadiums,
pre/post
matchtobehaviours
3 full time
staff were
employed
to deliver
the initiative
schools inand
the playing
North
against
high quality
Hertfordshire
and opposition.
Stevenage areas with students receiving 20 hours study
support through the project by attending a 6 week course on one night
week.
RyanaAdam
In 2010/2011 the nucleus of the EJA U18’s
A total of eight schools were involved each term, four primary and four
progressed
to representing
the Club aat maximum
r e s e r vof
e 14 students per session as
secondary/middle,
accommodating
level,
competing in the Capital Football League
follows:
finishing
a credible
5th place
in the
WesternKS2
Monday &
Wednesday:
3.00pm
– 6.00pm
Division.
In addition,
from thisactivity
team, whilst
playerstravelling
Ryan
Plus 20 min
focused learning
Adam and Josh Cook broke into the 1st team squad for the 2011/12 season.
Tuesday & Thursday:
3.00pm – 6.00pm KS3
Unfortunately,
due tolearning
a combination
of finance
and the availability of facilities
Plus 20 min focused
activity whilst
travelling
the reserves were withdrawn from the Capital Football League, however the
This equated to 112 students per term; 336 students per annum & 24 schools
majority
per year. of the team and the management were able to continue to play together
as they became Stotfold reserves through the clubs established partnership.
Football
Club Development
in Education
Bedfordshire
Double
Club County Football League - U21’s
The Hitchin Town Double Club targeted underachieving students in years 7
In the
season
2011/12 offered
an underadditional
21’s teamintervention
was formedfor
from
under
and
8. The
programme
the an
cohort
of 18’s team
that had represented
Hitchin
Town
Youth the
previous
whose players
students
in each school
who had
previously
attended
theseason
Playingand
for Success
programme.
were too old to continue at that age group.
The
Club was
a school-based
with the provision
The Double
Bedfordshire
County
Football programme
League in Association
with Bedfordshire
bespoke and devised in consultation with each school with the primary
Football Association created an under 21 Sunday league with Hitchin completing
focus of raising attainment in literacy and/or numeracy.
the double, winning the inaugural League and League cup.
Literacy
Intervention
However,and
theNumeracy
team did not
enter the competition for the season 2012/13
because
number Intervention
of the players
went to supported
university and
left the
area,ofsome
The
KS1a Literacy
programme
the three
phases
the
Primary
foronthe
Year Two
Literacy
Theand
wanted toFramework
concentrate
a more
senior
level of‘Instructions’
football on aUnit.
Saturday
programme
focused
on developing
instructional
writing
skills through
finally the young
management
teamstudents’
did not want
to commit
to another
season
utilising the centre’s broad range of IT and sporting facilities.
but rather play themselves.
The KS1 Numeracy Intervention programme supported the National Numeracy
The Cluband
is Prior
working
on resurrecting
under 21’s
team focused
from 2013/14
season
Strategy
Learning
Objectives.the
Targeted
Students
on developing
usingnumber
the latest
batch
of under
18’s acoming
through
ranks.
key
skills
for one
morning
week over
a six the
week
period. The
programme was adapted to reflect learning in the classroom and address
individual
learning
needs.
Scholarship
Scheme
Study Support Centre Holiday Provision
We have previously documented the operations and benefits of the Scholarship
The
Centre
offered
a varietyin of
school holiday
Scheme
within
the Football
Education
section programmes.
of this reportThe
but programmes
with regards
targeted Looked After Children and offered educational support, Healthy Living,
to the development of the scheme and consequently the Club it is our intention
school transition, ICT and film making.
to add an International focus on the scheme and explore new, diverse exit routes.
Community Scheme
Detailed operations and benefits of the Community Schemes have also been
previously documented within the Opportunities for All section of this report.
The Club intends to develop this section by continuing to use the income derived
from the Arena and funding from grant applications that are made with its
strategic partners to expand on its programmes, initiatives and projects.
Josh Cook
Ashley Young
EJA Under 18’s
Club Development
Football
in Education
Club Development
Football
in Education
Supporters
LearnIT Study Support
Tackle
Hitchin
ITTown Youth FC
Unfortunately,
government
the Department
for
The
Club has seen
a steadyfunding
increasewas
in withdrawn
the averagebyattendance
of supporters
at
Children, Schools & Families and Hertfordshire County Councils - Standards &
1st team league matches since 2007.
Schools Effectiveness from March 2011 bringing an end to the ‘Playing for
Success’ initiative.
Season
Division
Average Attendance
Position
However, the existing Study
Support Centre staff formed
a not-for-profit
2007/2008
Premier
316
18th Social
Enterprise specialising in the delivery of supplementary education support
2008/2009
Premier
20th
programmes for children,
young people and adults338
in the North Hertfordshire
community called LearnIT
Study Support.
2009/2010
Midlands
334
2nd
Youth FC is FC
partreceived
of the Hitchin
Football
Club
community,
fundingTown
of £9,600
from
Awards
for All
affiliatedthe
to the
FA, with
teamsdelivering
competing
the Royston
Crow
towards
costHertfordshire
of LearnIT Study
Support
thein‘Tackle
IT’ project.
Youth
League.
The
project
provided out of school hours learning aimed at improving emotional
health
for vulnerable
of children
aged
rural2005 and
The Charter
Standardgroups
Development
Club
was8yrs-11yrs
awarded in
in isolated
November
communities.
The target2011.
group
were Children
that are
are committed
Looked After
children
regained in November
Hitchin
Town Youth
to and
continuously
identified
who needed
with their
interaction,
selfimprovingby
thepartner
serviceschools
they provide,
raisinghelp
standards
andsocial
adopting
good practice
confidence, motivation and support to tackle personal challenges. There were 3
in line with the Football Association’s current strategy.
courses of 10 weeks with team building physical activities used as a stimulus for
An aim of
Hitchin
FC is tosolving
become
a Charter
StandardofCommunity
learning
social
skills Town
and problem
alongside
a program
mentoring Club
and it recognises
the importance
of wellbeing.
Hitchin Town Youth FC’s role in achieving
support
and guidance
for emotional
that goal.
Each week children were set a series of challenges both physical and emotional
which explored areas such as respect, team work and coping with worries. A
learning outcome was linked to each challenge such as 'I am learning how to feel
proud' and 'I can identify things that help me feel safe'. As part of the
programme children also received accredited points towards an ASDAN
qualification.
2010/2011
400
2nd with a
The staff have created Central
a unique (Promotion)
modern, interactive
learning environment,
broad range of ICT provision,
sports and recreational
2011/2012
Premier alongside excellent 388
14th
facilities.
The number of supporters volunteering to join the Club’s Workforce and
undertake various duties including pitch maintenance, administration, fund
The team
closely
with partner
raising
andwork
match
day activities
have also increased over the past 5 years.
schools, community agencies and
families to ensure all learners receive
quality provision focusing on their
personal needs, helping to improve
confidence, motivation and raised
achievement through a varied
range of activities as
seen in these pictures.
Art & Design
Bowling
Healthy Eating
Supporters
Dance
Since 2007 the Youth section has grown to the extent that teams have been
entered at all age groups from U7 - 18’s in the 2012/13 season with some age
groups boasting more than one team representing the Club further strengthening
the Player Pathway Framework.
All youth team players and managers receive a free season ticket to the 1st team
League home matches in an attempt to encourage a young fan base for the future
of the Club. Top Field stadium is also made available to the Youth section to
stage its annual end of season football festival, giving players the opportunity to
play on the 1st teams home ground and generate vital funds.
Club Development
Student Exit Routes
Supporters &
All Ages
Scholarship
Scheme
16 - 19 yrs
Playing
Careers
Hitchin Town
C & DIndustry
Teams
Sports
Careers
U14
—U21
To develop a number of innovative exit routes that will create
Club Workforce
opportunities for students to progress into a lifelong career pathway
Hitchin Town
Higher
Education (UK)
Hitchin Town
Community
Scholarship
Football Club
Scheme
Hitchin Town FC
Hitchin Town 1st Team
Higher
1st Team
Education
(USA)
with Luton Town FC.
Average attendances at 1st
team matches and the
Club’s workforce have
both increased in size as a
result of the community
projects that have been
delivered since 2007.
Male Adults
16-19partnership
year old boys.
Initially
the adopted
redeveloped
was beopened
the
The
approach
that when
has been
by theArena
Club can
evidenced
Club’s
educational
delivering
the scheme
Hertfordshire
in
all sections
of thispartner
report and
proves how
vital it is was
in theNorth
development
of the
College.
Club.
The purpose of the scheme was to use football as the ‘hook’ to engage male
Hitchin
Townthat
FC 1st
Team
school leavers
would
not ordinarily continue into further education and to
create, establish and maintain exit routes for learners and develop a number of
The 1st team sit at the pinnacle of the Club structure benefitting from all of the
innovative sports related courses - both general and vocational - that will lead
schemes, teams, activities and partnerships operated by all of the sections that
to qualifications to support the students choice of exit route.
form Hitchin Town Community FC, whether it be players coming through the
Player Pathway Framework, volunteers joining the Club Workforce, supporters
The scheme ran with North
attending matches, positive public relations with the local community or the
Hertfordshire College from 2007 to
utilization of the facilities at the Arena.
2010.
In Season 2012/13 the 1st team will compete
theClub
EVO-STICK
Southern
In 2011inthe
changed educational
League Premier Division step 3 in the National
LeaguetoSystem
and Bedfordshire
will strive to
providers
Central
gain promotion to step 2 the Blue Square Football
Southern
League.
College Conference
and formed
a partnership
Youth
Hitchin
Town
have scholarship
a clear vision
for thehave
development
of popular
the Clubwith
based
on a
Nationally
football
schemes
grown very
football
purposeful
partnershipestablishments
approach that and
doesHitchin
not duplicate
existing
provision
clubs and educational
Town FC
are very
proudbut
to
rather
extends
opportunity,
anda partnership.
have been
one excellence,
of the pioneering
clubs access,
to havefacilities
developed
successful scheme for
7 - 18 yrs
Community
Schemes
Coaching
All Ages
Careers
The
Football
Vision
Scholarship Schemes - North Hertfordshire College (2007 - 2010)
Public Services
Careers
Football
Club Development
in Education
Football Scholarship Schemes -Central Beds College (2010—Present)
Schools - Extra Curricular Coaching
The scheme is delivered in its entirety at the Arena utilising all of the
Hitchin
FC has
operatedthe
Lunch
time and After
Schoolpitch,
sportschanging
clubs for a
facilitiesTown
available
including
3rd Generation
artificial
number
of years
and they
have laundry
proved invaluable
the creation
rooms, study
support
centre,
room andinlounge
area.and
Central
development
schoolprovide
- club links.
within
this outreach
Bedfordshireofcollege
two Each
tutorsschool
for the
academic
aspect programme
of the
benefit
invitations
toFC
participate
sports
festivals
at the Arena
and
course from
and Luton
Town
provideintwo
coaches
for hosted
the coaching
delivery.
staged by the Community coaching staff.
Multi-Sports
Lunch
Time
The boys study the Btec
Extended
Diploma
inClub
Sport - Performance and
excellence which is a 2 year full time course. The course consists of 19
School
Locationareas of sport,
Activity
Club and
modules and cover different
both practically
academically. The final qualification will give the students the opportunity
Our Lady RC
Hitchin
Football
After School
to gain entry to University and improve their employability.
William Ransom
Hitchin
Multi-Sports
Lunch Time
Purwell Primary
Hitchin
Football
After School
Preston JMI
Preston
Football
After School
Whitwell JMI
Whitwell
Football
After School
Grange JMI
Letchworth
Football
After School
Woolgrove SNA
Letchworth
Football
Lunch Time
Schools - Curricular Coaching
The Club has provided football coaches to St Francis College Independent
Students receive 16 hours
Healthy lunches are available
Girls school during the curriculum time since 2008.
academic study per week
in the lounge area.
The sessions
are delivered over one term to two cohorts of James
16 girls Ferguson
with
Playing
Careers
the coaches signposting those girls interested in continuing to participate
in football
touse
localthegirls
teams.as a ‘safety net’ for
Luton
Town
scheme
players that may have been judged not to be ready for
a contract but are considered to have potential to
develop into a professional player in the future. At the
end of the first year of the scheme James Ferguson
was successful in being offered a professional contract
with Luton Town FC in 2011.
Those players that are not offered
From September 2012 the Club will be expanding its curricular coaching
contracts are given the opportunity
programme by providing schools with coaches to deliver sports courses during
to trial with Hitchin Town FC and
its teachers Planning, Preparation and Assessment ((PPA) periods. The courses
those that are not selected are then
will allow the children to participate in additional physical education whilst giving
signposted to other non-league
the teachers the opportunity to fulfil their PPA obligations.
clubs to continue their playing
career on a semi-professional basis
Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET’s)
whilst pursuing a career in full time
Ridgemond Training is a training provider thatemployment.
specialises in offering educational
courses to 14-18 year old youths that are Not in Education, Employment or
Training (NEET’s). During 2011 and 2012 Ridgemond delivered 3 12 week
courses at the Arena
utilising
the 3G12artificial
Students
receive
hours pitch and study support centre with
28 out of 36 learners
completing
the per
course.
football
coaching
week
In addition the North Hertfordshire Education Support Centre delivered 2 units
of GCSE PE over 6 weeks to 16 NEET’s at the Arena using video to evidence
the students course work.
Hertfordshire Careers Service
Since 2007 the Arena has provided 1 weeks work experience to 14 boys from 4
local Secondary schools with one progressing onto the scholarship scheme
after their experience at the Arena.
Coaching Careers
Higher Education UK & USA
During their time on the course the students are given the opportunity to gain
the FA Level 1 coaching certificate. In addition some of the students will be
given coaching experience on the Club’s numerous Community programmes
including holiday courses, primary coaching clinics, Adult and Junior Ability
Counts sessions, youth diversionary projects and after school clubs.
Higher education is a popular choice of former students that have attained the
necessary qualifications to gain entry to Universities both in the United Kingdom
and in the USA.
The Community programme has benefitted from the influx of former students
to the Club’s pool of coaches, delivering the projects on a paid basis.
Dammy Nickels-Benson in
the USA
The Club established a link with UK
Soccer Camps based in the USA after
8 young American players visited the
Arena to take part in a 10 day training
camp hosted by UK Soccer
Camps and in conjunction with the
scholarship scheme.
The relationship has developed and has seen one scholarship scheme student
Dammy Nickels-Benson spend a summer in the USA coaching with UK Soccer
Camps on a voluntary basis.
The Club is exploring the possibility of expanding this scholarship exit route by
creating further coaching opportunities in the USA by building on its relationship
with former Hitchin Town player Trevor Parker currently working with McLean
Youth Soccer from the Virginia area and Nick Mulvaney a former Hitchin Town
community coach working at Chicago Lakefront Soccer Club.
The long term aim is to create
an exchange programme that
would see students from both
countries experiencing life in a
foreign environment and
develop their life skills.
The experiences gained whilst on the scheme equip the
boys with both qualifications and life skills that prepare
them for life at University.
Daniel Olaniran
Throughout the year the Arena is used by a number of
USA Scholarship recruitment companies including Pass
4 Soccer, First Point USA and United Sports USA. A
number of students have participated in trial matches and
were successful in earning scholarships at Universities in
America including Daniel Olaniran now studying at
University in North Carolina.
Public Services Careers
During the course of the scheme the students will visit Baldock Fire station to
spend a day with fire fighters receiving a real insight into life as a fire fighter. The
day is beneficial to the boys as they witness the use of fire fighting and road
traffic collision equipment, participate in fitness exercises, using breathing
apparatus, watching a road safety
awareness DVD and l i s t e n i n g
to fire fighters experiences.
The Fire service use the day as a
recruitment opportunity whilst
advocating the importance of
road safety and the hazards of
fire.
Baldock Fire Station
Football Scholarship Schemes -Central Beds College (2010—Present)
Schools - Extra Curricular Coaching
The scheme is delivered in its entirety at the Arena utilising all of the
Hitchin Town
FC has
operatedthe
Lunch
time and After
Schoolpitch,
sportschanging
clubs for a
facilities
available
including
3rd Generation
artificial
number study
of years
and they
have laundry
proved invaluable
the creation
rooms,
support
centre,
room andinlounge
area.and
Central
development ofcollege
schoolprovide
- club links.
within
this outreach
Bedfordshire
two Each
tutorsschool
for the
academic
aspect programme
of the
benefit from
invitations
toFC
participate
sports
festivals
at the Arena
and
course
and Luton
Town
provideintwo
coaches
for hosted
the coaching
delivery.
staged by the Community coaching staff.
Multi-Sports
Time
The boys study the Btec
ExtendedLunch
Diploma
inClub
Sport - Performance and
excellence which is a 2 year full time course. The course consists of 19
School and cover different
Locationareas of sport,
Activity
Club and
modules
both practically
academically. The final qualification will give the students the opportunity
Our Lady RC
Hitchin
Football
After School
to gain entry to University and improve their employability.
William Ransom
Hitchin
Multi-Sports
Lunch Time
Purwell Primary
Hitchin
Football
After School
Preston JMI
Preston
Football
After School
Whitwell JMI
Whitwell
Football
After School
Grange JMI
Letchworth
Football
After School
Woolgrove SNA
Letchworth
Football
Lunch Time
Schools - Curricular Coaching
The Club has provided football coaches to St Francis College Independent
Students receive 16 hours
Healthy lunches are available
Girls school during the curriculum time since 2008.
academic study per week
in the lounge area.
The
sessions
are delivered over one term to two cohorts of James
16 girls Ferguson
with
Playing
Careers
the coaches signposting those girls interested in continuing to participate
in football
touse
localthegirls
teams.as a ‘safety net’ for
Luton
Town
scheme
players that may have been judged not to be ready for
a contract but are considered to have potential to
develop into a professional player in the future. At the
end of the first year of the scheme James Ferguson
was successful in being offered a professional contract
with Luton Town FC in 2011.
Those players that are not offered
From September 2012 the Club will be expanding its curricular coaching
contracts are given the opportunity
programme by providing schools with coaches to deliver sports courses during
to trial with Hitchin Town FC and
its teachers Planning, Preparation and Assessment ((PPA) periods. The courses
those that are not selected are then
will allow the children to participate in additional physical education whilst giving
signposted to other non-league
the teachers the opportunity to fulfil their PPA obligations.
clubs to continue their playing
career on a semi-professional basis
Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET’s)
whilst pursuing a career in full time
Ridgemond Training is a training provider thatemployment.
specialises in offering educational
courses to 14-18 year old youths that are Not in Education, Employment or
Training (NEET’s). During 2011 and 2012 Ridgemond delivered 3 12 week
courses at the Arena
utilising
the 3G12artificial
Students
receive
hours pitch and study support centre with
28 out of 36 learners
completing
the per
course.
football
coaching
week
In addition the North Hertfordshire Education Support Centre delivered 2 units
of GCSE PE over 6 weeks to 16 NEET’s at the Arena using video to evidence
the students course work.
Hertfordshire Careers Service
Since 2007 the Arena has provided 1 weeks work experience to 14 boys from 4
local Secondary schools with one progressing onto the scholarship scheme
after their experience at the Arena.
Club Development
Student Exit Routes
Supporters &
All Ages
Scholarship
Scheme
16 - 19 yrs
Playing
Careers
Hitchin Town
C & DIndustry
Teams
Sports
Careers
U14
—U21
To develop a number of innovative exit routes that will create
Club Workforce
opportunities for students to progress into a lifelong career pathway
Hitchin Town
Higher
Education (UK)
Hitchin Town
Community
Scholarship
Football Club
Scheme
Hitchin Town FC
Hitchin Town 1st Team
Higher
1st Team
Education
(USA)
with Luton Town FC.
Average attendances at 1st
team matches and the
Club’s workforce have
both increased in size as a
result of the community
projects that have been
delivered since 2007.
Male Adults
The purpose of the scheme was to use football as the ‘hook’ to engage male
Hitchinleavers
Townthat
FC 1st
Team
school
would
not ordinarily continue into further education and to
create, establish and maintain exit routes for learners and develop a number of
The 1st team sit at the pinnacle of the Club structure benefitting from all of the
innovative sports related courses - both general and vocational - that will lead
schemes, teams, activities and partnerships operated by all of the sections that
to qualifications to support the students choice of exit route.
form Hitchin Town Community FC, whether it be players coming through the
Player Pathway Framework, volunteers joining the Club Workforce, supporters
The scheme ran with North
attending matches, positive public relations with the local community or the
Hertfordshire College from 2007 to
utilization of the facilities at the Arena.
2010.
In Season 2012/13 the 1st team will compete
theClub
EVO-STICK
Southern
In 2011inthe
changed educational
League Premier Division step 3 in the National
LeaguetoSystem
and Bedfordshire
will strive to
providers
Central
gain promotion to step 2 the Blue Square Football
Southern
League.
College Conference
and formed
a partnership
Youth
Hitchin Town
have scholarship
a clear vision
for thehave
development
of popular
the Clubwith
based
on a
Nationally
football
schemes
grown very
football
purposeful
partnershipestablishments
approach that and
doesHitchin
not duplicate
existing
provision
clubs
and educational
Town FC
are very
proudbut
to
ratherbeen
extends
opportunity,
anda partnership.
have
one excellence,
of the pioneering
clubs access,
to havefacilities
developed
successful scheme for
16-19
year old boys.
Initially
the adopted
redeveloped
was beopened
the
The partnership
approach
that when
has been
by theArena
Club can
evidenced
Club’s
educational
delivering
the scheme
Hertfordshire
in all sections
of thispartner
report and
proves how
vital it is was
in theNorth
development
of the
College.
Club.
7 - 18 yrs
Community
Schemes
Coaching
All Ages
Careers
Football
The Vision
Scholarship Schemes - North Hertfordshire College (2007 - 2010)
Public Services
Careers
Football
Club Development
in Education
Club Development
Football
in Education
Club Development
Football
in Education
LearnIT
Supporters
Study Support
Hitchin
Tackle ITTown Youth FC
Unfortunately,
government
the Department
for
The Club has seen
a steadyfunding
increasewas
in withdrawn
the averagebyattendance
of supporters
at
Children, Schools & Families and Hertfordshire County Councils - Standards &
1st team league matches since 2007.
Schools Effectiveness from March 2011 bringing an end to the ‘Playing for
Season initiative.
Success’
Division
Average Attendance
Position
However,
Support Centre staff formed
a not-for-profit
2007/2008the existing Study
Premier
316
18th Social
Enterprise specialising in the delivery of supplementary education support
2008/2009
Premier
20th
programmes for children,
young people and adults338
in the North Hertfordshire
community called LearnIT
Study Support.
2009/2010
Midlands
334
2nd
Hitchin Town Youth
FC is FC
partreceived
of the Hitchin
Football
Club
community,
Community
fundingTown
of £9,600
from
Awards
for All
affiliated
to the
FA, with
teamsdelivering
competing
the Royston
Crow
towards the
costHertfordshire
of LearnIT Study
Support
thein‘Tackle
IT’ project.
Youth
League.
The project
provided out of school hours learning aimed at improving emotional
healthCharter
for vulnerable
of children
aged
rural2005 and
The
Standardgroups
Development
Club
was8yrs-11yrs
awarded in
in isolated
November
communities.
The target2011.
group
were Children
that are
are committed
Looked After
and children
regained
in November
Hitchin
Town Youth
to continuously
identified by
who needed
with their
interaction,
selfimproving
thepartner
serviceschools
they provide,
raisinghelp
standards
andsocial
adopting
good practice
confidence, motivation and support to tackle personal challenges. There were 3
in line with the Football Association’s current strategy.
courses of 10 weeks with team building physical activities used as a stimulus for
An
aim of
Hitchin
FC is tosolving
become
a Charter
StandardofCommunity
learning
social
skills Town
and problem
alongside
a program
mentoring Club
and
it recognises
the importance
of wellbeing.
Hitchin Town Youth FC’s role in achieving
support
and guidance
for emotional
that goal.
Each week children were set a series of challenges both physical and emotional
which explored areas such as respect, team work and coping with worries. A
learning outcome was linked to each challenge such as 'I am learning how to feel
proud' and 'I can identify things that help me feel safe'. As part of the
programme children also received accredited points towards an ASDAN
qualification.
2010/2011
400
2nd with a
The staff have created Central
a unique (Promotion)
modern, interactive
learning environment,
broad range of ICT provision,
sports and recreational
2011/2012
Premier alongside excellent 388
14th
facilities.
The number of supporters volunteering to join the Club’s Workforce and
undertake various duties including pitch maintenance, administration, fund
The team
closely
with partner
raising
andwork
match
day activities
have also increased over the past 5 years.
schools, community agencies and
families to ensure all learners receive
quality provision focusing on their
personal needs, helping to improve
confidence, motivation and raised
achievement through a varied
range of activities as
seen in these pictures.
Art & Design
Bowling
Healthy Eating
Supporters
Dance
Since 2007 the Youth section has grown to the extent that teams have been
entered at all age groups from U7 - 18’s in the 2012/13 season with some age
groups boasting more than one team representing the Club further strengthening
the Player Pathway Framework.
All youth team players and managers receive a free season ticket to the 1st team
League home matches in an attempt to encourage a young fan base for the future
of the Club. Top Field stadium is also made available to the Youth section to
stage its annual end of season football festival, giving players the opportunity to
play on the 1st teams home ground and generate vital funds.
Football
Club Development
in Education
Playing
Hitchinfor
Town
Success
Community & Development (C&D) Teams
Initially the centre was used to host the ‘Playing for Success’ national
In addition
thepurpose:
Hitchin based Hitchin Town Youth section that competes in
initiative
withtothe
the Royston Crow Youth League, a new section called Hitchin Town Community
& To
Development
has evolved
since 2007
at the2 Arena
in Baldock.
1.
provide free(C&D)
after school
study support
for based
Key Stage
and 3 pupils
Eastern
JuniorLiteracy,
AllianceNumeracy, ICT and Life Skills
2.
To develop
The
offers
youthand
teams
the opportunity
3. Tosection
improve
attitudes
motivation
to learn to compete on a regional basis in
the Eastern Junior Alliance (EJA) League rather than the more traditional local
4. To raise achievement levels
leagues. The EJA League provides teams and their players with an insight into
5. Toenvironment
build confidence
and self-esteem
the
and expectations
of playing at a high standard of non-league
football as experienced by Hitchin Town’s 1st team. This includes additional
travelling,,
playing
at stadiums,
pre/post
matchtobehaviours
3training,
full time
staff were
employed
to deliver
the initiative
schools inand
the playing
North
against high quality
Hertfordshire
and opposition.
Stevenage areas with students receiving 20 hours study
support through the project by attending a 6 week course on one night
week.
RyanaAdam
In 2010/2011 the nucleus of the EJA U18’s
A total of eight schools were involved each term, four primary and four
progressed to representing
the Club aat maximum
r e s e r vof
e 14 students per session as
secondary/middle,
accommodating
level, competing in the Capital Football League
follows:
finishing &
a credible
5th place
in the
WesternKS2
Monday
Wednesday:
3.00pm
– 6.00pm
Division.
In addition,
from thisactivity
team, whilst
playerstravelling
Ryan
Plus 20 min
focused learning
Adam and Josh Cook broke into the 1st team squad for the 2011/12 season.
Tuesday & Thursday:
3.00pm – 6.00pm KS3
Unfortunately,
due tolearning
a combination
of finance
and the availability of facilities
Plus 20 min focused
activity whilst
travelling
the reserves were withdrawn from the Capital Football League, however the
This equated to 112 students per term; 336 students per annum & 24 schools
majority
per
year. of the team and the management were able to continue to play together
as they became Stotfold reserves through the clubs established partnership.
Football
Club Development
in Education
Bedfordshire
Double Club County Football League - U21’s
The Hitchin Town Double Club targeted underachieving students in years 7
In
season
2011/12 offered
an underadditional
21’s teamintervention
was formedfor
from
under
andthe
8. The
programme
the an
cohort
of 18’s team
that
had represented
Hitchin
Town
Youth the
previous
whose players
students
in each school
who had
previously
attended
theseason
Playingand
for Success
programme.
were
too old to continue at that age group.
The Double
Club was
a school-based
with the provision
The
Bedfordshire
County
Football programme
League in Association
with Bedfordshire
bespoke and devised in consultation with each school with the primary
Football Association created an under 21 Sunday league with Hitchin completing
focus of raising attainment in literacy and/or numeracy.
the double, winning the inaugural League and League cup.
Literacy and
Intervention
However,
theNumeracy
team did not
enter the competition for the season 2012/13
because
number Intervention
of the players
went to supported
university and
left the
area,ofsome
The KS1a Literacy
programme
the three
phases
the
PrimarytoFramework
foronthe
Year Two
Literacy
Theand
wanted
concentrate
a more
senior
level of‘Instructions’
football on aUnit.
Saturday
programme
focused
on developing
instructional
writing
skills through
finally
the young
management
teamstudents’
did not want
to commit
to another
season
utilising the centre’s broad range of IT and sporting facilities.
but rather play themselves.
The KS1 Numeracy Intervention programme supported the National Numeracy
The
Cluband
is working
on resurrecting
under 21’s
team focused
from 2013/14
season
Strategy
Prior Learning
Objectives.the
Targeted
Students
on developing
using
the latest
batch
of under
18’s acoming
through
ranks.
key number
skills
for one
morning
week over
a six the
week
period. The
programme was adapted to reflect learning in the classroom and address
individual learning
needs.
Scholarship
Scheme
Study Support Centre Holiday Provision
We have previously documented the operations and benefits of the Scholarship
The Centre
offered
a varietyin of
school holiday
Scheme
within
the Football
Education
section programmes.
of this reportThe
but programmes
with regards
targeted Looked After Children and offered educational support, Healthy Living,
to the development of the scheme and consequently the Club it is our intention
school transition, ICT and film making.
to add an International focus on the scheme and explore new, diverse exit routes.
Community Scheme
Detailed operations and benefits of the Community Schemes have also been
previously documented within the Opportunities for All section of this report.
The Club intends to develop this section by continuing to use the income derived
from the Arena and funding from grant applications that are made with its
strategic partners to expand on its programmes, initiatives and projects.
Josh Cook
Ashley Young
EJA Under 18’s
The Arena
Computer Suite
Football
Scholarship
Schemes
Study Support
Centre
LearntIT
Study Support
NEET’s
Hertfordshire
Careers Service
The Football Foundation granted Hitchin Town Community FC over £565,000 worth
of capital funding towards the redevelopment of its training ground to create what is
now known as ‘The Arena’. The total project cost over £1.1 million with funding
coming from
the Active
Department of Children, Reading
Schools & Families, Herts County
Inter
Council and a bank loan taken out by the Club from Nat West Bank in addition to
White Boards
Area
the funding received from the Football Foundation.
The Study Support Centre located within the Arena was funded by the
Department for Children, Schools & Families and Hertfordshire County
Councils - Standards & Schools Effectiveness team supplying the IT
equipment that includes 9 Apple Mac’s, 5 iMacs and two interactive
whiteboards. The Club funded the construction and fixture and fittings
of the centre.
Using Football / Sport as the ‘hook’ to engage members of the community to
consider improving their educational attainment through a range of programmes
The Arena Study Support Centre
School
Curricular
Coaching
School
Extra-Curricular
Coaching
Facility
Development
Football
in Education
The funding has transformed an old, tired and run down training ground into a
modern state of the art community facility that now provides greater access to
football opportunities through the full size 3rd Generation artificial floodlit pitch,
refurbished and new changing rooms. The facility reaches out to a far wider audience
than the original grass pitch which had its obvious restrictions on use. This section
of the report will illustrate the transformation made due to the funding received.
Facility
Opportunities
Development
for All
Community Coaching
Schemes
The Construction
of the Arena
from Old to New
School Links
The Club works closely with the North Herts Schools Sport
Partnership supplying coaches to deliver a variety of sports sessions in local
Primary schools and is detailed within the Football in Education section of this
report.
School PTA’s have benefitted from the supply of our coaches providing ‘Beat the
Keeper’, ‘Football Target’ and Skills demonstrations at various fund raising
events including Summer Fair’s.
Facility
Development
Opportunities
for All
Community Safety Campaigns
Our Community Safety Campaigns form part of the Club’s Social Inclusion
agenda and therefore fall within our Opportunities for All strategy. The Club is
aware of its standing within the community and has undertaken various national
and local Community Safety Campaigns over the past 5 years linking the
Campaigns to the ongoing projects within the Community scheme.
Adults with Learning Difficulties
The last 3 years has seen a significant increase in schools taking up an invitation
from the Club to attend a 1st team match at Top Field and participate in an
activity with one of our community coaches on the pitch at half time.
Through our vibrant Ability Counts section we
promote
Basinsthe availability of health screening on
behalf of the local PCT, encouraging our
players to attend regular check ups. The Club
also works with North Herts People First an
advocacy organisation to forward varying
information onto the Ability Counts section
including advice on crime and transport issues.
Dads’ Lads & Lasses
In 2011/12 the Club delivered the Dads, Lads & Lasses project with the Priory
school and funded by Awards for All. The project was aimed at children between
5-12 years that lacked a male role model within their household. Estranged
fathers were encouraged to spend quality time and engage with their children
through a series of weekly coaching sessions delivered on a Saturday morning.
After the session the group would enter Hitchin Town’s clubhouse and eat lunch
together from a selection of healthy food
options. The day would conclude with free
entry to a Hitchin Town home match.
Youths
Two original changing rooms were
Minority Groups
refurbished and an extension was
Hitchin Town have supported the
Kick it Out organisation and its ‘Lets
FRANK Campaign
Kick Racism out of Football’
campaign for a number of years and
always participate in the ‘One Game One Community’ week
of action. During the Black History Month the club delivers
Toiletsreferences to black
sessions in schools that incorporates
athletes.
built for two additional changing
rooms creating four large changing
rooms.
Changing Rooms
Mary Exton JMI School
Incorporated in many of the Youth Diversionary projects are Campaigns to
educate those youths attending on subjects including alcohol, drug, sexual disease
and reckless driving awareness. Showers
Facility
Opportunities
Development
for All
Facility
Opportunities
Development
for All
Community
The Construction
of Coaching
the Arena Schemes
from Old to New
Holiday Courses - Football
Community
The Construction
of Coaching
the Arena Schemes
from Old to New
Holiday Courses - Multi Sports
For a number of years Hitchin Town FC’s community section has staged football
camps during the school holidays for children aged
between 5-12 years. These camps have not only
proved to be the starting point for some children’s
pathway in the Club’s Football for Life strategy but
also gives access to other children that may not
necessarily participate in football elsewhere and
therefore providing Opportunities for All.
Claude Gnapka
Working in partnership with The Priory School in Hitchin the Club has
established a Multi-Sports holiday course for 5-12 year old children. The format
of the camp sees children divided into relevant age groups and participate in
numerous sporting activities throughout the day. The sports on offer are wide
ranging and include Tennis, Badminton, Trampolines, Tag Rugby, Kwik Cricket,
Dodgeball, Multi-Skills, Basketball, Goal Ball, Volleyball and Athletics.
Former Bar Area into Study Support Centre - Front Elevation
The Arena has become a popular venue for not only local children to attend the
holiday courses but also visiting children from other countries including Sweden,
New Zealand and the USA.
Funding sourced by the now defunct Hitchin Extended Schools Partnership
allowed the course to be subsidised to make it accessible to families that live in
the Oughton area that is recognised as an area of social depravation.
The camp usually consists of 3 days of fun activities including shooting, s k i l l
tests, dribbling, matches and mini tournaments culminating in a presentation at
the end of the camp with all participants receiving a certificate, item of club
merchandise, a free match ticket for one adult and one child to a Hitchin Town
1st team game, a bar of chocolate whilst some individuals are awarded trophies
for the Player of the Week and Most Improved Player.
The Club contracts in specialised coaches to deliver the more technical sports
and rotates the groups of on average 12 children per group around each sport.
Study Support Centre - Front
We see on average 36 children attending per holiday course with varying ages and
Former Bar Area into Study Support Centre - Back Elevation
ability, our coaches adapt the course content to cater for all those attending and
make it an inclusive camp.
The original Clubhouse contained two bar areas, one was the function
room with dance floor and a smaller bar area was used as a members
area.
The main bar area was converted into the Study Support Centre that
Originally delivered the Playing for Success initiative and the members
bar was refurbished into a parents lounge.
Parents Lounge Area
Facility
Opportunities
Development
for All
The ConstructionBME
of theProjects
Arena from Old to New
Khalsa Youth FC
Facility
Opportunities
Development
for All
BME Projects
Hitchin Town FC have worked closely with Bal
Singh from Khalsa Youth FC on a number of BME
projects in the area including school projects, a refugee
and asylum seekers tournament, the Striving for Unity
Cup and organising a charity match against a celebrity
team containing actors from the television soap opera
‘Emmerdale’. Bal has also coached on the scholarship
GrassKhalsa Youth lead on most Artificial
scheme.
BME projects
and the Club support Bal in the delivery of t h e m
avoiding duplication and adopting a true partnership
approach.
Refugees and Asylum Seekers World Cup Tournament
One of the first events to be staged at the Arena was a World Cup Tournament
for Refugees and Asylum seekers from the whole of Hertfordshire.
Hertfordshire County Councils Adult & Family Learning Service Inclusion
Team brought 60 people to compete in the tournament that saw participants
from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan, Angola, Iraq and Iran. The day proved to be
very successful with feedback reporting an increase in confidence, self-esteem
and self worth in the players. Unfortunately due to cut backs in the County
Council the tournament has not been able to run again. However the Club are
seeking funding to re-launch the event.
Kit Aid and Football Gambia
North Herts Minority Ethnic Forum
The Arena hosted a full day football workshop for 16
Grass
Artificial
children from the North Herts Minority Ethnic
Forum during the Summer holiday and continued with
a weekly hour long coaching session for another 8
weeks. Children ranging from 8-14 years old. At the end of the course the
participants were signposted to local youth football teams and our enhanced
coaching clinic.
Over the years Hitchin Town have donated old football kit to Kit Aid and
Football Gambia to distribute toPlant
adultsRoom
and children in Africa. Below pupils from
Mogra Star Primary and Secondary School in Nairobi, Kenya sport Hitchin
New areas
within
home
shirts were
and acreated
village team
in the Mombasa region of Kenya wear a Hitchin
away
kit.
the footprint
of the existing
building. These included a plant
room consisting of two large
boilers and controls for the hot
water and heating systems.
A new corridor separates the
Study Support Centre and the
parents lounge and leads to the
Artificial
Pitch
changing rooms and pitch access.
Corridor
Opportunities
for All
Facility
Development
Field
OpportunitiesTop
for All
The Club has worked with the Hertfordshire
Youth Offending Team to give young
offenders the opportunity to spend their
reparation hours at the Arena facility painting
the stands, crush barriers and dugouts and
maintaining. the surrounds of the ground by
cutting back bushes and weeding..
B-Festival
In the Summer of 2010 and 2011 the Arena hosted the B-Festival an event
organised by local youths that consisted of a mixture of live music,
football tournaments, talent contests and inflatable games on the pitch.
The festivals attracted over 400 youths to the events that ran from 11.00am
to 12.00pm at night.
Once the offenders hours were spent the club
offered them the chance to play football on
the artificial pitch free of charge to encourage them to take up a positive leisure
activity and divert them from further crime. We also signposted the young
offenders to our football scholarship scheme for 16-19 year old boys as route
back into education.
A number of community agencies were on hand to provide information
on drug, alcohol and STD awareness whilst the Fire & Rescue s e r v i c e
showed a film on the consequences of reckless driving, the dangers of
arson and provided an interactive simulator for driving whilst under the
influence of alcohol.
Little Westmillions Project
The football tournament was held in memory of a local youth that had
died in a traffic incident on Norton Road.
This project has evolved from a combination of the Friday Night Project and an
event revolving around street soccer and PANNA football.
Summer Youthoria
In partnership with North Herts College and Hertfordshire Police Authority the
Hitchin
has a long
historyofinstreet
football
withmatches
the original
Hitchin as a prelude to the
Club
organised
a series
soccer
in Hitchin
FC formingFriday
in 1865
andProject
reaching
thewould
quarter
the in
very
established
Night
that
takefinals
placeoflater
the evening.
first FA Cup competition in 1871/72 it also contributed
The qualifying matches culminated in a Finals day taking place as part of the
financially to the making of the original FA cup (pictured right).
towns Olympic celebrations, with 36 youths competing in the 2v2 PANNA
tournament funded partly by Hertfordshire Sports Partnership through its
Top Field has been the home of Hitchin Town Football Club
Community Games fund. The Little Westmillions have continued attending
since 1928 and is situated in the heart of the town. The Club
sessions delivered by the Club in partnership with the voluntary group CAYPOW
occupies the ground through a lease held with its landlords the
(Children and Young People of Westmill).
Hitchin Cow Common Trust.
During the summer school holidays the Club provide coaches to deliver sports
In
the pastatapark
variety
of issues
have
the Club’s throughout
ability to redevelop
activities
events
staged
by restricted
Youth Connexions
the district as
the
as the Club
strives programme.
to replicate the
community
facilityplace
developed
part stadium
of the Summer
Youthoria
Activities
have taken
at :
at the Arena in Baldock.
1. Priory Gardens - Royston
2. Jackmans Estate - Letchworth
The aim of the Club is to create a facility that would become the hub in the
3. The Avenue Baldock
4. Bancroft Park Hitchin
Hitchin area, providing a wide range of initiatives, programmes and projects
The sessions
were
on of
average
by community.
18 youths per
park
andwould
werealsobased
with
its partners
forattended
the benefit
the local
The
Club
on the that
Friday
Project
model
of delivery.
ensure
theNight
stadium
would
contain
all of the facilities required for entry
into the Blue Square Conference Football League in its goal for promotion
up the National League System.
Opportunities
for All
Facility
Development
North Herts Youth Diversionary Group
The Arena hosts the North Herts Youth Diversionary Groups meetings of
which the Club is a leading member, devising a strategy to provide local youths
with activities to divert them away from anti-social behaviour. The Group draws
on numerous agencies and organisations involved in youth work including
Hertfordshire County Councils Youth Connexions, Child UK, North Herts
District Council, North Hertfordshire Homes, Hertfordshire Police and Fire
authorities and the Extended Schools Co-ordinators before they were made
redundant. The groups common objectives are:
Promotion of Being Safe, Feeling Safe and Increase Feelings of Safety
Reduce Youth Crime, keep young people safe and prevent them from becoming
involved with crime and anti-social behaviour
Reduce Anti-Social Behaviour including alcohol and other substance misuse
related disorder
The Priory School and Hitchin Town Community
have
formed
stronginpartnership
the past 5
Increase opportunities to FC
engage
with
young apeople
positive and over
healthy
activities from age 11 – 24years
yearswith the Club using the facilities on offer at the
school including the Sports Hall, Multi Use Games
Be Healthy, Enjoying & Achieving,
Makingand
a Positive
Contribution
Area (MUGA)
the extensive
playing field to
deliver various programmes including the Multiholiday
courses, Double
Club,
for
Co-ordinated approach toSport
partners
and stakeholders
strategies
andPlaying
action plans.
Success, Dads Lads & Lasses, Youth Diversionary
projects and work experience placements.
Multi-Use
Games Area
During the delivery of the Double Club a classroom
within the Sports Hall was customised into a room
dedicated to Hitchin Town FC displaying
pictures, shirts, memorabilia and artefacts loaned by
Hitchin museum.
Opportunities
forSchool
All
The Priory
Friday Night Project
Working in partnership with Child UK, Hertfordshire Police Authority, North
Herts District Council, Hertfordshire County Council - Youth Connexions and
North Hertfordshire Homes the club provides coaches to attend youth
diversionary activities across North Hertfordshire in ‘hot spots’ identified by t he
Police and the District Council on a Friday night.
Activities aimed at 14-19 year old youths include football, cricket, basketball, and
2009
the schoolRoyston
approached
the Club
have taken placeDuring
in Hitchin,
Letchworth,
and Knebworth.
requesting the recommendation of contractors after
The Arena is utilised in Baldock as the venue hosting the Friday Night Project
being awarded funding to install a new MUGA and
attracting youths away from the local Tesco superstore car park where there had
impressed
by the construction
of the
Arena.
been instances ofbeing
anti-sociable
behaviour.
The pitch is used
to stage
the sporting
Thecafé
school
and
theis Club
activities whilst the
& bar
area
used are
as a both
placecommitted
to relax andtotalk creating a
exploring
thetable
potential
improving
existing
‘chill out zone’ with
the pool
being aoffocal
point. The
police have reported
facilities
to the
benefit
parties
a significant decrease
in youth
crime
sinceoftheboth
Friday
Nightand
Project started.
with
delivery of its current projects.
The Friday Nightcontinuing
Project Tasks
arethe
as follows:
1. Identify ASB Hot Spots and deliver projects in these locations
2. Produce a diversionary activities programme tackling behaviour and
co-ordinate the activities across North Hertfordshire in a safe environment.
3. Provide information for young people on substance misuse, sexual health
awareness, career advice, and healthy lifestyles.
4.To empower young people by improving their self- confidence, self-esteem
and giving them ownership of the project
in 5. Utilise Police Officers to participate in the
project and act as mentors to the youths.
6. Implement a Monitoring & Evaluation
programme to measure the outcomes of the
project.
Playing Fields
Sports Hall
Sweating the Asset
Opportunities
for All
Priory School
Hitchin
Adult Disability
Disability Projects
Income
Disability
Streams
Projects
Artificial
Pitch
HireCounts
- Usage
Junior
Ability
The Clean Sheet Project is a Social Enterprise
that has flourished through the support of the
Hertfordshire County Council Strategic
Commissioning Team funding the transformation
of an old turnstile block into the laundry room,
housing 2 large washing machines and 2 tumble
dryers. The project was further supported by the
Commissioning Team and its Learning
Disabilities Employment section.
Top Field
Stadium
Facility
Development
Funding was provided to help establish the Clean Sheet Project as a Social Enterprise
and allowed the Club to employ 3 part-time members of staff to operate the
enterprise. Two of the employees have Learning Difficulties and are supported by a
manager on a Monday and Wednesday.
The enterprise currently generates income regularly from the following organisations:
Hitchin Town FC
Luton Town Elite Scholarship Scheme
First Point USA
Hertfordshire FA
United Sports USA
Baldock
The Arena
We have also generated income from occasional washes from visiting teams to the
Arena including Crystal Palace U18’s, Pass 4 Soccer and touring teams from the USA
& Norway.
We are advertising locally to teams and other sports clubs to make the enterprise
sustainable and would welcome any new business.
The Working
3rd Generation
Artificialwith
pitch
is theHerts
main Schools
source of
income
at the Arena
is
in partnership
North
Sports
Partnership
and and
Angels
vital Support
in sustaining
thethe
community
programmes,
projects and
initiatives
delivered
Group
club has established
a coaching
session
for children
agedby
the Club.
The8pitch
is available
from 8am
to 10.30pm
and has
between
and 14
years old seven
with adays
rangea week
of physical
disabilities
and special
hired by numerous, diverse ranges
educational needs including ADHD andbeen
autism.
of customers.
Club to
attempts
All sessions are supported with the appropriate
ratio’sThe
of staff
playersto
ranging
operate
a balanced
of of
usechildren
that
from 1-1 to 1-5. In 2009 we were able
to expand
themixture
numbers
theofaims
and objectives
of its
participating in the sessions with themeets
receipt
funding
from Hertfordshire
Football
Plan
whilst
County Councils Strategic Commissioning
TeamDevelopment
and the Aiming
High
project.
generating income from more
The increase in participants allowed us to form two teams to compete in the
commercial activities. The total number
Herts Inclusive Football League playing matches in Hitchin Town kits.
of hours the pitch was used over the past
We have received some wonderful comments
parents
about
thebelow:
sessions
5 years isfrom
illustrated
in the
table
including:
Year‘I feel reassured
Mon that
Tues
Wed doThurs
Fri to help
Sat the children
Sun with
Totals
the coaches
their utmost
their
individual256
needs. My
week. To95.5
see him101
happy makes
2007/08
345 son enjoys
383.5 coming
309.5each393.5
1,884me
happy too!’
2008/09
334.5 375.5 574
394.5 299.5 122.5 222
2,323
‘It’s nice not to worry about my sons safety, knowing that his behaviour is
2009/10
266.5 329
458.5 307.5 214.5 122
142
1,880
accepted and understood although it still makes me feel embarrassed.’
2010/11
376.5 352.5 652.5 435
466.5 169.5 184
2,636
‘It is a rest from my son and I find satisfaction in
2011/12
644.5 441
609.5
542
178.5everybody
251 involved.
3,192 I
that he
gets on525.5
so well with
also find that there is no pressure put on the
andhas
they
feelhired
at ease.’
In addition to Hitchin Town FCchildren
the pitch
been
by:
‘A chance to see
himadult
being
to participate
in
Colleges & Schools
Local
andable
youth
teams
an after schoolInternational
activity without
being judged or
Professional Clubs
club teams
made to feel different
‘
Football recruitment organisations
Commercial
coaching companies
Local authorities
An Athletics Club
Charity Fund Raisers
Commercial Small Sided Leagues
Local Leagues for Cup Finals
Opportunities
Sweating the Asset
for All
Artificial Pitch Hire - Resident
Disability
Teams Projects
Opportunities
Sweating the Asset
for All
Artificial Pitch Hire - Training
Disability
and Matches
Projects
addition to the Scholarship teams the Arena has been the home to a number
AdultInDisability
of resident teams playing in League, cup
andpartnership
friendly matches.
The
work between the Club
Adult
In addition
Disability
to the teams that form Hitchin Town FC the Arena has been used by
numerous
otherable
teams
training
We
have been
toboth
develop
oursessions
Ability and playing matches.
and Hertfordshire County Council Adult
LeagueDay Care Services continues
Age Groupto flourish
with
the use of the Arena
being integral to
Friendly
Matches
U9 - U12
the delivery of some of the Councils
services. The one hour of coaching
U15 & U16
originally given to a group of adults with
Eastern
Junior Alliance
learning
difficulties U14
has evolved into a
full day of activities at the Arena on a
Monday from 8.30 to 3.30pm and has
U16 & U18
resulted in the creation of a Social
Eastern
Junior Alliance
U14
Enterprise
Counts
Adults section from one training session Youth
into
three
small sided teams competing in Arlesey Town Youth
Arlesey
Town
the
following
Baldock
Towncompetitions:
Ashwell Accies
Baldock Cannon
Baldock Town Youth
Bedfordshire
FA Ability Counts League
BartonInclusive
Rovers League
Comet FC
Herts
Bedford Arms
Letchworth GCE Youth
Cambridgeshire
PAN Disability League
Buntingford Town
Luton Town FC
Coaching
Adult
PAN
Disability
Eastern
Regional
Cambridge City
Stotfold Juniors FC
League
Codicote FC
Shefford Saints
Histon Warren Trophy
Borough
Youth
Gerald
BramminghamStevenage
Day Centre
Football
Festival
Letchworth GCE FC
St Josephs Youth
Northampton Town Sixfields Festival
Luton Town FC
Wymondley Park Youth
Nirankari Sports
In addition the Ability Counts section have won trophies in the Disability
Royston Town
Female
category of Annual Sport Awards from both the Comet Newspaper and Herts
St Albans City
Arlesey Town Ladies
Sports Partnership.
Stotfold FC
Stevenage Borough Ladies
The
coaching
Weston
Youth session on a Monday now encompasses
St Martinsadults
Ladieswith mental health
issues
with over
registered
adults
Wymondley
Park60
Old
Boys players and a number
WatfordofLadies
FCwith more severe
disabilities attending from day centres to watch the football taking place from
seating
Veteransin the stand.
Corporate Matches
Season 2007/2008
Luton Town Academy
Season 2008/2009
Hitchin Town C&D
Stotfold Academy
Season 2009/2010
Hitchin Town C&D
Stotfold
Season
The day
has 2010/2011
the following structured format:
Hitchin TownMeet
C&Dfor tea & coffee
Eastern
Junior Alliance
8.30—10.00
(Friendship
Club)
U16 & U18
Season 2011/2012
10.00—11.30
Ground Maintenance working parties (The Arena & Top Field)
Hitchin TownAllotment
C&D
U15
11.30—12.30
Maintenance
Allotments
Hitchin TownLunch
C&D
Bedfordshire County
U21
12.30—1.30
Shefford Saints
1.30—3.00
Football Training Eastern Junior Alliance
Baldock TownTea
FC& Coffee before
Herts
Senior County
3.00—3.30
departure
U16
Adult 1st & Reserves
Season 2012/2013
Hitchin
Town
C&D
Laundry
& Car
Wash
services:
Sheffordthe
Saints
Eastern
Throughout
day volunteers will also
f o rJunior
m Alliance
U16
Laundry
U17
working
parties
to wash
kits County
Baldock
Town
FC and dry the football
Herts Senior
used Bocca
by Hitchin
Town at the weekendJewish
and inChronicle
the
Jewniors
MSFL
summer months another group offer a car wash
service based in the Arena car park.
Adults Reserves
Adults
Buntingford Town
Letchworth GCE FC
Halls Green FC
Stotfold FC
Wilbury Wanderers
ACO Water Management
Arena Security
Airborne Systems
BAM Construction Bet Fair
EBS New Media
Finnmeccanica
Imtech Aqua
Kelly Maintenance
The Lamp Company NFT Distribution
North Herts Homes Royde & Tucker
SEI Europe
W H Barley
Standards & Schools Effectiveness
Leagues
Hertfordshire
County Council -
Youth Connexions
An area the Club would like to expand on in the close season and
holiday periods is the facilitating of touring teams both Nationally and
Internationally. To date the Arena has played host to a Crystal Palace
U18’s pre-season training camp that lasted for 4 days, consisting of daily
training sessions and culminating in a friendly match against Hitchin
Town 1st Team.
Community
Safety
Campaigns
Two commercial
companies
operate
small sided
Leagues at theTeam
Arena occupying
Hertfordshire
County
Council
Strategic
Commissioning
time slots on a Sunday, Monday and Thursday evening with a total of 48 teams
Hertfordshire County Council Adult & Family Learning Service
competing throughout the week over 11 week periods.
North Herts District Council Sports Development Team
The Herts and Borders Churches 11-a-side League have staged its Cup Final at
the Arena on 3 occasions since 2009 whilst the Stevenage Sunday League have
The positive impact made through the delivery of our community programmes
held its final once. The Hitchin Sunday League actively promotes the pre-season
would not have been possible if the Club had not received £74,547 over 3 years
match package offered by the facility to its member clubs, often staging 3
from the Football Foundation as part of a revenue tail attached to the original
matches in one day. In total the Arena has staged 104 pre-season friendly
capital grant. We would like to thank the Football Foundation for its support.
matches for local teams.
Adult Day Care Services
Community
Coaching
Schemes
BME
Projects
Hertfordshire Football Association
Crystal Palace U18’s
Disability
Projects
Youth Justice Board
Tours & Training Camps
Social
Inclusion
Group
No: ofweTournaments
No: Teams
In
this section of our report
will detail the numerous
social inclusion
initiatives that have begun using 5the Arena as the ‘Hub’22
in a
Veterans
‘hub and spoke’ model of partnership work with various community
Women
2
6
agencies including:
Male Youths
2
12
Angels Support Group
Extended Schools Consortiums
Corporate Businesses
3
36
Kit Aid
Football Gambia
Charities
4
32
Khalsa Youth FC
Hertfordshire Sports Partnership
BME (Unity Cup)
2
12
Hitchin Christian Centre
Hertfordshire Police Constabulary
Ability Counts (Disability) 8
14
North Hertfordshire Homes
North Herts Schools Sports Partnership
Local Adult Clubs
1
6
North Hertfordshire College
North Herts Ethnic Minority Forum
Professional Clubs
2
24
Child UK
Artificial Pitch Hire - Events
Youth
Diversionary
Projects
The
Artificial
Club’s
Pitch
mainHire
aim -isEvents
to provide and enable access to football/sport
related opportunities for all members of the community regardless of
Tournaments/ Festivals
age, gender, race, religion, sexuality or disability. The Club recognised
Throughout
the
past
years we
haveinclusion
staged numerous
small sided football
its
role in being
able
to 5promote
social
by using football/sport
tournaments
/ festivalsregeneration
for a wholeand
range
of groups.
as
a tool for community
development.
Sweating the Asset
To provide access to football / sport related opportunities for all members of
the community, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexuality, ability or
disability through a range of initiatives
Opportunities
Sweating the Asset
for All
In addition the Norwegian club Hodd FC have sent its U18’s squad to the Arena
with Hitchin Town community staff organising a series of training sessions,
matches and social activities for its guests.
The International flavour continued during Easter 2012 with the arrival of 8
American players aged between 18 and 22 years to the Arena, enjoying 10 days
of coaching and cultural experiences with excursions to London.
Sweating
Football the
for Asset
Life
Whilst Hitchin Town attemptOther
to identify
Revenue
andStreams
nurture playing talent through its
player pathway framework it also acknowledges the importance of encouraging
people
to support the Club in other capacities including coaching, officiating,
Grass Pitch
physiotherapy, administration and supporting from the terraces.
Theofgrass
juniormentioned
pitch hasroles
beencan
used
accommodate
ofthe
theClub and
All
the above
givetopeople
an identityparts
within
runthat
at the
Arena
it came development
into operation
aHoliday
sense ofcourses
ownership
is vital
for since
the continued
of in
the2008.
Club and
However
the
Club
has
experienced
a
huge
problem
with
rabbits
that
its facilities.
occupy the undergrowth of the adjoining fields.
Coaching
We have former 1st team players and management staff continuing their
involvement within the Club in varying coaching roles including
working with youth teams within the Club, on community coaching
sessions, youth diversionary projects and on the scholarship scheme.
The rabbits dig holes in all parts of the pitch causing severe damage that
has forced the Club to erect temporary fencing in a small area of the pitch
which can be maintained and continued to be used. The Club is actively
seeking funding to provide a solution to the problem and enable it to
facilitate a 9V9 pitch as part of the Build the Game programme.
Richard Wilmot
Mark Smith
Dean McElroy
Examples include Mark Smith, Richard Wilmot and Dean McElroy
who have all played football for the 1st team and continued their
involvement
with the
in a coaching
We have utilised
theClub
unplayable
part ofcapacity.
the pitch on occasions by renting
it to circus’ that have visited the Baldock area in the past 2 years.
Sweating
Football the
for Asset
Life
The scholarship scheme
Other
offers
Revenue
a fruitful
Streams
supply of coaches with current
students given work experience on the numerous coaching schemes
delivered by the community section and former students utilising the
Car Park
experience to gain employment both withinThe
the car
Clubpark
andgenerates
with external
income
organisations. Historically this exit route from
the scheme
has proved
through
PRT Norton
Way
to be a popular choice with many of the students.
delivering CBT motorcycle
training sessions within a
Successoffstories
cordoned
area of from
the car the
scholarship
scheme
include
park
during off peak
periods.
Kieran
FoxBar
a former
student
The
Café &
benefits from
the scheme
progressed
theoftheory
elementwho
of the
course
onto
the
Hitchin
Tow
n
FC
being delivered there.
community p r o g r a m m e
coaching in schools and
Study Support Centre
becoming the lead community
The majority of use in the Study Support Centre iscoach
by Central
Bedfordshire
before
moving onto
College delivering the academic part of the Scholarship
Scheme
and
Luton Town FC, LearnIT
Barnet and
delivering its programmes that have been documented
report.
now previously
currently ina this
skills
coach
Kieran Fox
However, the centre also contributes income fromwith
otherThe
sources
including:
Football
Association.
Ridgemond Training Training Courses
Kieran’s replacement at the Club and the
Hertfordshire FA Safeguarding Courses
current lead community coach is Conor
The
Beauty
Den
Nail Painting
De Lacy
who
is another
product
of the & Skin Care
scholarship
NHCVS
- scheme.
Training Courses
The Beauty Den
Conor De Lacy
Administration, Officiating and Supporting
As previously stated Hitchin Town appeal to players that have been part of the
Club’s player pathway framework to remain involved with the Club once they
have stopped playing. Administration, Officiating and supporting the 1st team
from the terraces are all roles that have been taken up by former players over the
years.
Training Courses
Participation
35 years +
Top
Player Pathway Framework
Veteran
Teams
Hitchin Town FC
1st Team
Holiday Course Coaches
Our Community coaches are joined by additional coaches specialising in other
sports including Rugby, Tennis and the Trampoline on the Holiday Course
programmes.
Small Sided Match
Teams / Leagues
Holiday Courses
The Arena Facility Staff
In addition to the Community Coaches fulfilling facility staff duties as detailed
above, the ground staff maintain both the grass and artificial pitches and
supervise the volunteer workforce from the Adult Day Care Services on the
maintenance of the surrounding grounds and facility.
Local Clubs
Youth Teams
Boys & Girls
However, the Board recognises that community engagement is the foundation of
building a stronger , sustainable and successful Club and will continue to develop the
Player Pathway Framework to provide opportunities for local players to perform at
the highest non-league level in North Hertfordshire.
Advertising
The 1st team train at the Arena twice a week from July to April.
Funds areTeams
raised through the sale of advertising space around the Arena
Veterans
including
the ispitch
perimeter,
boards
on the
building
website
A memorial
match
played
annually with
former
players
taking on
on the
the 1st
team.and
on The Arena promotional leaflets.
Performance
School/
Scholarship Scheme
Central Beds College
& Luton Town FC
The Community coaches deliver a variety of sports and physical activities on our
numerous projects and programmes whilst also being very adaptable combining
their coaching skills with facility duties at the Arena including management of
the pitch hire, bar tending, cleaning and ground maintenance.
Club Link
The area also contributes income through a share of the Pool Table,
gaming machine and sweet vending machines.
18 years +
Local Saturday & Sunday
11-a- Side Teams
National Curriculum
School Teams
& Competitions
As with the majority of sports organisations, the Club recognises the fact that
volunteers are its lifeblood and rely on them to support the successful delivery of
its community programme and projects. The Club is taking the o p p o r t u n i t y
within this report to thank all those volunteers past and present that have and do
help the Community programme flourish.
After School Clubs
The Bar Area provides a space for hospitality to visitors whether they are
participants or spectators of all activities staged at the Arena. This source
of income varies dependant on the size of an event but is a welcome
revenue stream.
Participation
Volunteer Workforce
Community Coaches
Bar Area
18 years +
Potential Top
Performance
16 - 19 years
Participation
6 - 18 years
The Workforce
The sustainability and growth of Hitchin Town Community FC is reliant on
the strength and commitment of both its paid and volunteer workforce.
Primary Coaching Clinics
Hitchin Town’s 1st team currently play in the Southern League Premier Division . The
goal within the Football Development Plan is for the 1st team to be playing in the
Conference League within 5 years. Unfortunately, the Club suffered relegation to the
Central Division of the Southern League in 2009 and did not regain its status in the
Premier Division until May 2011
Foundation
Playing - Top North Hertfordshire
Other Revenue
Performance
Streams
4 - 9 years
Sweating
Football the
for Asset
Life
Administration
The Community & Development Manager is supported administratively by
backroom staff based at the Arena, undertaking marketing, monitoring,
evaluation, registrations, bookings and staff rota and duties.
Football
The Workforce
for Life
Football
The Workforce
for Life
Community
Coaches
Playing—Participation
Level
HolidayHertfordshire
Course Coaches
Playing - Potential Top North
Performance
Hitchin Town
Youth section continues to grow
Conor
with 22 teams representing the Club from U7 to
U 18’s in 2011/2012. The U18’s and U16’s play
their matches in the Eastern Junior Alliance
League at the Arena, with the U16’s winning the
County Cup and the U18’s winning the League title
in 2010.
Matt
Two adult teams from the Supporters Club play in the
Hitchin Sunday League, train at the Arena in the
winter months and play pre-season matches at the Mark S
facility in the summer period.
Robin
Mark T
Baljinder
Josh
From 2007 to 2010 in partnership with North
Hertfordshire College the Club continued to
recruit boys aged 16-19 years to enrol on a
foot ball scholarship scheme and represent the
Club at U18’s in the Southern Youth Floodlit
League, at U19 ‘s in the Football Conference
Youth Alliance League and some were elevated
to play at Reserve level in the Capital Mid
week League.
The boys trained at the Arena during the day and completed their academic studies at
the college based in Hitchin. The U19’s team played their home fixtures at the Arena
on a Wednesday afternoon in the Football Conference Youth Alliance League.
The Arena hosts the Herts Advanced
Development Centre which offers additional
coaching to local players attached to various
teams aged from 5—12 yrs old. This provision
Lewis
replaced the need for the Club to operate
Enhanced Coaching Clinics.
Although the Club no
longer organises the
Enhanced C o a c h i n g
Clinics we do operate
specialised coaching
clinics in goal keeping
and shooting for ages 814 years.
Steve - Rugby
Unfortunately, the proposed girls scheme that was set to mirror the boys scheme did
not materialise due to the lack of enquiries which made the scheme unviable for both
the college and the Club.
John - Tennis
Chloe - Trampoline
However since September 2010 Hitchin Town FC have
been working in partnership with Luton Town FC and its
educational provider Central Bedfordshire College on a
new scholarship scheme that is based in its entirety at the
Arena.
25 scholars enrolled on the scheme in the first year that
saw 12 hours of football training being delivered in the
morning and 16 hours of academic study being taught in
the afternoons utilising the Study Support Centre on site.
There are currently 48 students enrolled on the 2012-2013
scheme.
An in depth description of the scholarship schemes that have been hosted at the
Arena are contained within the Football in Education section of this report.
Football
The Workforce
for Life
Facility Staff
Ability Counts
Linda
Andy
Learn IT Staff
Karen
Rena
Supporting
Hitchin Town
Community FC
Officiating
Playing
Administering
Every school holiday we hold a Soccer Camp for 3
days per week at the Arena with over 400 children
attending since the opening of the facility.
Theo
Roy
John W
Roger & Mike
Rob
Football for Life
Playing—Foundation Level
Primary Coaching Clinics are based at the Arena and are available to 5 - 8yrs old boys
and girls. The clinics operate throughout the year and have seen 126 boys and 12 girls
attend since September 2007. We signpost all those that attend to either our youth
section or local clubs that we have formed a relationship with over the years.
On behalf of North Herts Schools Sports Partnership we have delivered After
School Clubs to 21 primary schools in the area, with 6 schools continuing with the
Clubs and working directly with us after funding from the Sports Partnership had
Administration
ceased.
We have been able to provide staff to officiate at School Football Festivals held in
both Hitchin and Baldock. The Festivals also gave us the opportunity to publicise the
Arena and the courses we operate from it to all those that attended.
Providing everyone with a clear and lifelong pathway in the participation of
football
Physiotherapy
Ability Counts
Volunteer Workforce
Coaching
The Club believed the most important
Volunteer
objective
Workforce
in its strategy of Football for Life
was to maintain its Player Pathway Framework and provide exit routes into other
Facility Maintenance Staff
roles apart from playing football including coaching, officiating, physiotherapy,
ground maintenance, administration or attending 1st team matches and supporting
John B &
from the terraces.
Adult Day Care Services Clients Volunteers
Hitchin Town’s Player Pathway Framework has developed over the past five years
with the Football in the Community section co-ordinating the flow from foundation
programmes including weekly coaching clinics, school holiday courses, festivals, after
school and lunchtime clubs to the management of the Scholarship Scheme for boys
16-19yrs old.
The Workforce
Derek
The Workforce
Hitchin Town Football Club
Hitchin Town not only utilise the partnership approach with local football clubs
Executive Committee
as illustrated in its Player Pathway Framework but we have also adopted the
same approach in delivering our Community programme.
Stotfold play in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division. Hitchin
have developed
a similar
Learn
IT relationship with Stotfold as they have with Luton
The Community agenda was set by focusing on the delivery of the four key
except
in
this
case
Hitchin
are
the
senior
side.
Stotfold
are
an
important
club
Facility
Rena Niles - Centre Manager
indicators of social development, more jobs, Arena
less crime,
better Staff
health, improved
Community
&
Development
in Hitchin
Pathway Framework with players moving between
Sarah Town’s
Page -Player
Tutor
educational attainment. The Community programme leads on two of the Clubs 5
Manager
John Burke - Pitch Maintenance
both Karen
clubs. Brown - Tutor
Key Strategies, namely Opportunities for All and Football in Education.
Bickerstaff- Tutor
Louis Lee
RobJosh
Woodward
Shelagh Mackey - Fund Raising
Mark Burke
Lead Partners
Disability Projects
Herts County Council & Angels Support Group
Child UK & Herts County Council-Connections
BME Projects
Khalsa YouthVolunteer
FC & Kit Aid
Workforce
AdministrationCommunity Coaching
Teams
Carly Melvin – Office Manager
Liam McDevitt U16’s
Callum Hannah
DonnellyBurke – Administrator
Jay Welch U16’s
Playing for Success
Mick O’Donnell U13’s
Current
Town 1st
team players Josh Bickerstaff, Louis Lee and Callum
Scholarship Scheme
Lisa Hitchin
Hemmings
- Administration
Scholarship Scheme
Donnelly have all come through the Player Pathway Framework via Stotfold’s 1st
Community Coaches
team. From September 2012 both Hitchin and Stotfold will train at the same time as
School / Club Links
each other at the Arena giving the opportunity to train separately
or combined.
Conor
De Lacy Schools Liaison Officer
Matt Hayes Holiday Course Coaches
in the Herts
Robinplay
Wainwright
Senior County League Premier
MarkDivision
Teelingalongside
John Bennet Tennis
Baldock Town . The 1st team
and reserves
Baljinder
Singhtrain
- at
Steve Gibbs Rugby
the Arena and they have staged
season- friendly
MarkpreSmith
Chloe Matthews Trampoline
matches and League matches
when
the weather -was
Josh
Bickerstaff
bad during the winter. Letchworth
are also part- of
Lewis Endacott
Hitchin Town’s Player Pathway Framework .
Andy Compton - Pitch Maintenance
Linda Lee - Facility Maintenance
Welfare Officer
Camps & Clinics
Tours & Tournaments
BME Projects
Diversionary & Camps
Holiday Camps
Holiday Camps
Priory School & Extended Schools Consortiums
Roy Izzard Treasurer
Theo Peters - Scholarship Admin
Lead
Partners
John
Warren - Community Liaison
Fred
Andrews
Match Day
Herts
County
Council- &Schools
DfES (2007-2011)
Derek
Barker - Ability Counts
NHC
- (2007-2010)
Roger Odey - Ability Counts
Central Beds College - (2010-present)
Jo Crouch Ability Counts
Hitchin
Partnership
MikeSchools
Bristow
- Clean Sheet Laundry
Kev Huxtable - Clean Sheet Laundry
WithinHelen
this Cooper
report - Clean Sheet Laundry
we willADCS
h i g h Clients
l i g h t - Maintenance
Ros CrampweJunior Ability Counts
the partnerships
Jane Wareing
have created
w i t h - Junior Ability Counts
Campbell - Youth Diversionary
other Marc
community
agencies
to Castle
deliver - Youth Diversionary
Keith
our shared
a i m sSally Sloane
Holiday Camps
and objectives.
Partnership
The Future
Approach
Historically Hitchin Town and Luton Town have had
Within this final section of our
reportrelationship,
we will outline
the main
the Clubin
a good
playing
each aims
otherofannually
that will form the new 5 yearpre-season
Football Development
Plan to with
commence
friendly matches,
Lutonfrom
loaning
July 2013. It is the intention young
to buildplayers
on previous
plans
and create
to Hitchin
todelivery
gain experience
anda live
using
document to work to that will
map theTop
futureField
of Hitchin
Town Football
Club
Hitchin’s
for reserve
and youth
team
and its position both Nationally
and within the local community.
matches.
The relationship evolved into a partnership with the
Football for Life
relocation of Luton’s Academy and Centre of
Player
Pathway
Framework
Excellence
for 8-16
years to the Arena in 2007 and the Elite Scholarship Scheme
foris the
16-19
yearsintention
in 2010. to maintain and expand the current Player Pathway
It
Club’s
Framework
increasing
number
teams associated
the left
Clubthe
whether
In 2012 the by
Academy
andthe
Centre
of of
Excellence
for 8-16 to
years
Arena itto
is
by a back
directtolink
to the
playing
structureScheme
or through
a partnership
move
Luton
butClub’s
the Elite
Scholarship
is still
thriving today with
approach.
the course utilising all of the facilities available at the Arena.
The main areas of the Framework that the Club wishes to develop are as
follows:
1.
To gain promotion to step 3 of the National pyramid by the 1st Team.
2.
To create a reserve team feeding into the 1st team.
3.
To reintroduce an U21’s team bridging the gaps between the Scholarship
Scheme teams and the newly formed reserve team.
4.
To forge more partnerships with local clubs playing at steps 6 & 7 of the
National pyramid.
5.
To increase the number of youth teams associated with the Community and
Development teams
6.
To enter the adult Ability Counts section into an 11-a-side competitive
league
7.
To support
the County
with itsMatthew
plans to Upson
grow the
number
Former
Luton Town
youthFA
players
(Stoke
Cityof &females
England),
participating
in
football.
Keith Keane (Preston North End & Eire U21) and Curtis Davies (Birmingham
8.
create teams
from
theon
Primary
to the
participate
hosted and
by
City To
& England
U21’s)
were
hand toClinic
launch
openinginofFestivals
the Academy
TheofArena.
Centre
Excellence.
Partnership
The Future
Approach
Football for Life
The origins of the Arena date back to the 1980’s
Coaching
when Baldock Town FC built the original grass pitch
and clubhouse structures. Baldock enjoyed a period
The expansion of the Playerof
Pathway
is reliantthe
onleagues
the recruitment
of
successFramework
and rose through
and at their
coaching staff to manage thepinnacle
proposed
new
teams.the
Additional
will
they
reached
Southerncoaching
Premier roles
League.
be created as follows:
Kevin Phillips
1. Reserve team x 2 coaches
During this time a young Kevin
2. U21’scut
team
coaches
Phillips
hisx 2teeth
playing for
Baldock
before
being for
soldthe to
3. U15’s &
U16’s coaches
Community & Development teams
Watford
for £10,00
and forging a
4. U7’s team
x 2 coaches
very successful career playing in the
Premiership and for his country.
Former
playersinthat
have
Unfortunately
2001
thebecome
club folded and the ground became derelict. In 2002
parents
encouraged
to return
Hitchin are
Town
FC secured
the lease to the facility and located its Football in the
to
the Club toprogramme
take up coaching
Community
there. In 2003 a new senior club was formed from the
roles
withinBaldock
the youth
sections.
successful
Town
Youth set up and the club began the journey through
the leagues again. In 2011 Baldock Town returned to its home at the refurbished
Arena to train and play its League matches. 2011/2012 saw Baldock win the
Herts Senior County League Premier Division and promotion to step 6 in the
Administration,
league pyramid.Officiating
However, and
the Supporting
Club were denied promotion to the Spartan
South Midlands League because the 3rd generation artificial pitch was deemed
The
creation
newregulations.
teams to add to the Player Pathway Framework will result
unsuitable
by of
FIFA
in the need to recruit more volunteers to administer and officiate the additional
Reluctantly
the the
Club
decided
matches and training sessions. Parents of players
representing
Club
at theto
relocate volunteers
and with itsforpartnership
various youth age groups tend to be the most common
these roles.
approach
its aTop
The Club does look to retain these volunteers even
if theirHitchin
siblingsoffered
do leave
Fieldeither
stadium
to Baldock
team that is part of the Player Pathway Framework,
in their
roles asto aid
promotion.
administrators and officials or as supporters of its
theambition
1st team.ofVolunteer
retention
Baldock
still trainPlan.
and the 2nd
will be a high priority in the forthcoming Football
Development
team play out of the Arena.
Herts Senior County League Champions 2011/2012
Managers Review
The Future
Partnership
The Future
Approach
Although this report covers the
Opportunities
period fromfor
September
All
2007—August 2012 we
acknowledge
Ability Countsthat is has been underpinned by the previous 7 years of part-time
voluntary community engagement.
The
aimTown
of our
firstproud
Impact
Report
is not toofjust
informCounts
currentsection
funders,
Hitchin
is very
of the
achievements
the Ability
sponsors,
club officials,
and supporters
about
the tremendous
work
that is
and has produced
a film staff
that documents
how the
section
began and has
grown.
being
delivered, butFA
to intend
also demonstrate
to potential
new funders
/ sponsors
The Hertfordshire
to use the film
as an awareness
tool for
other and
indeed
at large Hitchin
the valuable
contribution
the football
club has
clubs inthe
thegeneral
Countypublic
and promote
Town’s
work as a potential
blueprint
to
and
is
making
to
the
local
community..
follow.
We
important
it is funding
to publicise
and raiseand
theLuton
profile of
Therecognise
Club was how
fortunate
to receive
fromour
thework
Bedfordshire
both
our ClubFoundation
and our funders
/ sponsors
to ensure
future income
andBook
the
Community
in June
2012 towards
the delivery
of a Scrap
sustainability
forcommence
the projects
andinprogrammes
that create positive change for so
project that will
later
the year.
many people.
The project will see members of the Ability Counts section create a scrapbook
Ifrom
am the
verynumerous
proud ofphotographs
the progress
our community
section
has made
andofI the
am
collated
over the years
to reveal
the story
looking
forward
to thefrom
nextconception
year with toexcitement,
tackling
new Support
issues in this
Ability Counts
section
date. Utilising
the Study
challenging
time.
Centre, the computers
and its staff, the participants will also gain an ASDAN
Iqualification
would appeal
to any
body reading
thiscourse.
report to contact the Club and join our
whilst
participating
on the
adventure whether it be a financial, physical or an administrative contribution.
The Club is constantly looking to evolve the Ability Counts section, working
closely with the Herts County Council Adult Day Care Services and will aim to
achieve the following:
Finally, I would like to thank the
1. To enter
the adultthe
Ability
Counts section into an 11-a-side competitive
Football
Foundation,
Big Lottery
league
Fund,
Awards for All, our strategic
2. To increase
theour
number
of weekly training sessions.
partners
and all of
commercial
sponsors
for their
continued for
support
3. To create
opportunities
all members of the Ability Counts section to
and over
the past
participate
in 5a years.
Scrapbook Project
4.
To increase the capacity of the Clean Sheet Project
Mark Burke
Community &
Development
Manager
Junior Ability Counts
The Junior Ability Counts section requires a considerable amount of staff
resourcing due to the nature of the players disabilities and the need for 1 to 1
sessions for some players. This makes the running of the sessions very costly
even with the help of the volunteer workforce.
Therefore, it is essential that funding can be sourced to continue the current
sessions and indeed expand the section to make it accessible to more children
with disabilities.
The Club is currently investigating the possibility of creating a cerebral palsy
specific team by working in partnership with CP Sport to add to the Junior
Ability Counts section.
1.
To source funding that will finance the longevity of the Junior Ability
Counts section.
2.
To create a Cerebral Palsy specific small-sided team.
3.
To recruit additional staff to the volunteer workforce to assist with training
sessions, matches and festivals.
Throughout the delivery of the Football Development Plan we have been
committed to creating clear and purposeful partnerships with a variety of
organisations ranging from local football teams, sports bodies, local
authorities, schools, colleges, charities, youth
groups and commercial companies.
Introduction
The Future
Official
The Future
Opening
The new Football Development Plan will include the following Opportunities
for All initiatives:
Community Coaching
Youth Diversionary
1.
To increase the number of Holiday Courses both Football and Multi Sport
available throughout North Hertfordshire.
2.
To introduce a Holiday Course for 3 - 4 year old children
3.
To develop a residential Football Camp with a leading European football
club.
4.
To host touring foreign teams and organise a coaching and match
programme throughout the year.
1. To propose and lead on the delivery of new initiatives through the North
Hitchin Town Community Football Club is a ‘not for profit’ company limited by
Hertfordshire Youth Diversionary Group.
guarantee managing and delivering the projects and programmes contained within
2. Town
To deliver
the Club’s
Friday Football
Night Project
on a weekly
throughout the year at
Hitchin
Football
Development
Planbasis
(FDP).
numerous venues located in North Hertfordshire.
A successful grant application to the Football Foundation and partnership funding
To continueCounty
to work
with the
Youth
Offending Team
from3.Hertfordshire
Council
in Hertfordshire
2007 resulted in
the construction
of a state of
providing
positive
pathways
youth
the art training
facility
that future
has been
used asforthe
‘hub’offenders.
for the Club’s Football in the
Community
programme.
4. To build
on the current Little Westmillions Project by increasing the number
of consists
hours contact
and facilitating
new activities
a Street
The Arena
of a time
full size
3rd generation
artificial including
pitch, junior
sizedArt
grass
workshop.
pitch, 4 team
changing rooms, 2 match officials changing rooms, disabled toilet and
shower,
Support
Centre, Café
Bar area,
laundry
room, plant
roommusic
& parking
5. Study
To host
the B-Festival
on an/annual
basis
incorporating
football,
and
for 2 coaches
70+ cars.
danceand
activities
for youths.
A revenue
was attached
the capital
grant County
awardedYouth
to theService
Club and
has proved
6. Totail
provide
coachingtostaff
to the Herts
to deliver
vital in the
deliveryYouthoria
of the FDP
and allowing
the Club
to respond to social needs of
Summer
activities
during school
holidays.
the local
7. community.
To lead the delivery of PANNA / street football throughout North
This Impact
Report will detail the use of the facility and the community programmes
Hertfordshire.
delivered over the past 5 years .
BME Projects
1.
To continue supporting Khalsa Youth with the delivery of its BME
programmes.
2.
To link the Little Westmillions Project with the North Herts Minority and
Ethnic Forum programmes.
3.
To expand the Striving for Unity Cup
4.
To increase the number of donations to Kit Aid and Football Gambia.
5.
To ensure every home 1st team match has a school in attendance
participating in a range of Match day activities including mascots, ball boys
and small sided matches.
In May 2008 we had great pleasure in launching our facility with an event that saw
6. International
To source funding
to sustain
LadsTony
and Galvin
Lasses Project
former
footballers
Ricky the
Hill,successful
Kingsley Dad’s,
Black and
joined by
former Luton Town FC players Rob Johnson and Wayne Turner cutting the ribbon to
7. To
adopt
Ability Counts model and apply it to a Football project aimed
officially
open
Thethe
Arena.
at Homeless people.
Ball Boys
A number of activities took place during the day with two local schools
and various sections that form part of Hitchin Town FC There was also
a short presentation delivered to guests, showing the vision for the use
of the Arena and the community programmes attached.
Mascots
Mission
The Statement
Future
To use the power of football/sport as a tool for social change and build a better
Football
in Education
future for the community of North
Hertfordshire.
Thelead
Club
its involvement
in education
as in
anNorth
important
link with all
To
theviews
successful
development
of football
Hertfordshire
byof its
community
initiatives and
programmes
numerous
benefits including
working
in partnership
with
key agenciesproviding
to provide
quality football/sport
partnerships, staffing
opportunities
for all. resources, income streams and player inclusion within the
Player Pathway Framework.
To deliver the four key indicators of social development of more jobs, less crime,
better health and improved educational attainment.
Learn IT Study Support
To
the participation,
and enjoyment
of playing,
1. increase
To support
the growth ofquality
the LearnIT
Study Support
groupcoaching,
social
watching
and officiating
of football
/ sportand
through
5 key
strategies:
enterprise
with the supply
of coaches
the use
of accommodation.
2.
3.
ToFootball
work in for
partnership
the LearnITfor
Study
staff in
to Education
make
1)
Life 2)with
Opportunities
All Support
3) Football
funding applications
4) Club Development
5) Facility Development
To develop courses that dovetail in the Club’s Community programme.
Contents
Scholarship Scheme
1.1. To
increaseStatement
the number of students participating on the course and create
Mission
and variedForeword
exit routes for leavers.
2. new
Chairman’s
2.3. To
add an International focus to the scheme with the recruitment of foreign
Introduction
players.
4. Official Opening
3. To implement a foreign exchange programme for existing UK based
5. Community & Development Managers Review
students.
6. Partnership Approach
4. To bridge the gap between scholarship youth teams and the Hitchin Town
7. 1st
Football
Life
team byfor
introducing
an under 21’s and reserve team.
8. Opportunities
Schools
Coaching for All
9. Football in Education
1. To increase the supply of coaches to schools for both curricular and extra
10. Club Development
curricular activities.
11. Facility Development
2. To develop more school/club links through coaching sessions, Match day
12. activities
Sweating
the
and
theAsset
Study Support Centre.
The
Workforce
3.13. To
employ
a full time school liaison officer/coach with branded transport
14. The Future
Chairman’s
The Future
Foreword
I have great pleasure presenting our 1st Impact Report detailing the successful
progress and development made
by Development
Hitchin Town FC’s community section since
Club
the opening
thefor
Arena
in September
2007.
The
ultimateof
goal
the Club
in its development
is to achieve the FA Charter
We have Community
seen a number
diverseThe
organisations
from this
a variety
of locations
Standard
ClubofAward.
aim is to achieve
award during
2013
both the
nationally
internationally
this tremendous
which was
with
supportand
of all
of the Club’s use
partners.
Other Club facility
Development
aimspart
to
funded
by the
Foundation.
be
included
in Football
the Football
Development Plan are as follows:
The Arena has proved to be a genuine community asset that has been able to
1.
promotion
to theincluding
Conference
Football
the 1st
team
serveToa achieve
wide range
of people
adults
and League
childrenbywith
disabilities,
within
5 years.looked after children, excluded youths and veterans.
ethnic
minorities,
2.
reintroduce
the period
U21’s and
reserve
to the
Pathway focus that
It hasTobeen
an exciting
in the
Club’steams
history,
withPlayer
a community
Framework.
has used
football as a tool to tackle social issues. We are looking forward to the
year To
ahead
wherethewe1stwill
continue
to build
on through
the greatthe
foundations
3.
increase
team
supporter
fan base
communitythat have
beenprogramme.
laid over the past 5 years and maintain the
reputation
we have
for being
Club Town Youth FC and both
4.
To strengthen
thegained
relationship
with aHitchin
of the
people.
achieve
Community Club status.
5.
To increase the number of teams affiliated to Hitchin Town Community &
Development section.
It is the desire of Hitchin Town Football Club’s Executive committee to replicate
the success of the redevelopment of The Arena at its home stadium of Top
Field in Hitchin.
Terry Barratt
1.
To secure the long term future of the Football club by owning a long term
Chairman
lease or the freehold of Top Field.
2.
To redevelop Top Field to the necessary standard that will permit entry into
the Conference Football League.
3.
To create a dedicated 9V9 pitch located on the grass area at the Arena with
the required football equipment and protective fencing.
Football Club
Impact Report
1st September 2007 – 31st August 2012
Hitchin Town Community FC The Arena, Norton Road, Baldock SG7 5AU

Hitchin Town Community Football Club

Transcription

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