AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth’s Community Sports Trust coaches have been out in South Africa working on a football project in both Johannesburg and Durban.
The trip was in partnership with Switched On Christian School, with coaches also given the opportunity to visit local community projects in the areas they visited.
Having landed in Johannesburg first, staff worked with teachers at Destiny Christian School and looked at what makes an effective coach.
They then put on sessions with students at Rabboni Christian School and Saints Christian School, involving player development classes on and off the training ground.
Away from the schools, members of the Community Sports Trust then visited a local project, with one man following in the footsteps of his mother by baking fresh bread and preparing food parcels for young children attending school. It resembled a foodbank and coaches were keen to get stuck in and help, making bread on the day they visited.
Following the community visit, the coaches visited Zenzele Community School and The Kings School, playing games and football with the younger children, before handing out football kit to the older pupils.
After some fantastic work in Johannesburg, the staff went onto Durban, visiting the local high school for coaching and then taking sessions with the players at Stella FC.
CPD sessions were carried out for the coaches at Richard Bay Christian School, while Howick High School and Ashton College saw their students benefit from more Bournemouth expertise.
Local club, Young Chiefs, were also paid a visit, with match kits handed out for them to wear in upcoming games.
Following the trip, AFC Bournemouth’s Head of Community Steve Cuss shared his delight at its success.
“The South Africa community project was a fantastic way to engage with schools in Johannesburg and Durban, working with lots of pupils.
“We were also pleased to support teachers and coaches, along with looking at community projects and how these are delivered.”
“The whole experience was very positive and provided a fantastic opportunity to promote AFC Bournemouth in South Africa.”
