Successful initiative empowering young people from hard-to-reach groups will run a collaborative programme starting in August 2025.
A West Midlands-based community project is announcing a collaborative programme of sports and employability training aimed at empowering young people facing hardship.
The “future referee” presentation will be run by Goal-Driven CIC and the accredited football referee courses, delivered by Staffordshire FA, will be run in collaboration with New Park Village Football Development Academy female players, this summer, following hot on the heels of their successful pilot programme in Wolverhampton with male players from the New Park Village Football Development Academy, and in Wolverhampton, at The Way Youth Zone.
The first cohort started in Birmingham, with school pupils on the verge of exclusion from mainstream education.
Goal-Driven CIC’s aim is to empower and inspire those aged between 14-19 who have been touched by social issues such as crime-active lifestyles, low educational attainment, long-term unemployment, migrant communities and living in areas of deprivation. The company provides a programme of introduction to becoming a football referee and employability training which are funded or sponsored, giving young people the opportunity to come together for positive lifestyle choices and inspire them to create a brighter future for themselves and others.
The companies’ pilot programme took place 2 years ago when Mark Bellingham, father to both Real Madrid and England footballer Jude and his younger brother Jobe Bellingham who currently plays for Sunderland AFC funded a programme in Birmingham in partnership with Birmingham County FA, West Midlands Police, Goal-Driven CIC and Virgin Money Foundation where 100% attendance and 100% positive case studies of finishing school GCSE’s, going to college, or into employment, and passing their driving test, impressively exceeded the outcomes that were to break their cycle of disadvantage. Last year at The Way Youth Zone in Wolverhampton city centre, fourteen young people between the ages of 14-19 were given a new, empowered outlook on life through football refereeing and employability skills training. This year a successful collaboration with former Wolves player Joe Jackson and Staffordshire FA saw 20 young NPV football male academy players complete their “Get into Refereeing” course.
Goal Driven CIC have their sights firmly set on the future with a female only cohort planned in Wolverhampton starting from August, all offering a selection of football refereeing and employability to 14- to 19-year-olds facing adversity.
Those interested in the programmes can attend Goal-Driven CIC’s Wolverhampton cohort, titled, “she’s on side”, in collaboration with New Park Village Football Development Academy in August 2025 at Our Lady and St Chad Catholic Academy, Old Fallings Lane, Wolverhampton. The Goal Driven team will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about the programme and planned activities.
- She’s on side” – Starts on August 2025
Having come from a sports coaching and community support background, Goal-Driven CIC’s head facilitator Cornell Fox has seen first-hand the challenges that the youth face on a day-to-day basis.
“So many young people in the West Midlands are dealing with serious hardship. Finding a job is hard enough these days; but in hard-to-reach groups face even more barriers than most.”
“We provide a place where young adults who’ve seen true hardship can find a sense of belonging, with trainers they can confide in.”
In terms of career skills, the Wolverhampton cohort will focus on topics such as: friendships, interactional skills, how much will I earn, and leadership. Cornell adds “We’re looking forward to focusing on earning, learning, and thriving as there are so many young people out there who simply don’t see owning their own personal development as an option.”
Each cohort is limited to just 20 places each and joining will be closed once the sessions begin. You can sponsor a place by calling Goal-Driven CIC on 07849 667 675 or emailing info@goal-driven.co.uk.
