Football and learning
Description
In some areas, organisations have used leisure as a way of engaging people in other activities. This can be a useful way of working with people who would not always get involved in more traditional community engagement activities.
How It Works – An Example
In Edinburgh, a football based literacy programme was established which was aimed at teenage boys.
This programme started due to the contact that a group of 14 to 17 year old boys had with Library Staff in Sighthill. Staff at a local library took a joint approach to developing a literacy course that was centered on the young men’s interest in football.
The sessions involved both on the pitch skills and literacy activities which are closely related to football. The coaching sessions were not pitched to the teenagers as literacy classes. However, the sessions involved a great deal of literacy learning and provided a starting point for more work with the young people.
Approximately 15 boys attended the course and were enthusiastic about both the literacy and sporting aspects.
Potential Uses
An effective way to encourage hard to reach young people to engage in literacy related activities. Easily adapted to the interests of the target group e.g. sport, cars, fashion etc.
Resources Required
The main resources requirements are sports coaches and literacy tutors, in addition to the hire of a ‘classroom’ and sports pitch.
