On target success

Rochdale AFC’s Football in the Community Trust (FITCT) will continue to offer various sporting activities to youngsters across the Borough through their ‘On Target’ initiative thanks to new funding

Rochdale AFC’s Football in the Community Trust (FITCT) will continue to offer various sporting activities to youngsters across the Borough through their ‘On Target’ initiative thanks to new funding.

Funding has been acquired from the Football League Trust in Partnership with Esmee Fairburn, and most recently SportsMatch, which will allow sessions through the scheme to continue for three years.

The sessions, which cater for 8-19 year olds are now taking place at two venues – Kingsway Park Sports Centre and The Soccer Factory – on Friday and Saturday evenings thanks to the funding. It sees the attendees participating in activities such as football, basketball and hockey.

The aims of the project are to engage young people with diversionary activities to raise aspirations, self confidence and self-esteem as well as working towards further qualifications and possible employment with help from the FITCT.

At present, several of the older attenders are assisting Dale coaches by helping them to organise various football leagues as well as refereeing to build experience and confidence ahead of taking part in various future sports leaders courses.

The FITCT have linked with Rochdale Youth Services to help identify the youngsters for the sessions.