AITC gets the ball rolling on 2014’s Sports Coaching programme

Sessions are for girls and boys of all abilities and throughout the year, a number of female-only sessions will run, to encourage girls to improve their skills and engage more young women to get into sport.

This year’s Sports Coaching programme is once again supported by American Express® employees who receive training to work alongside the AITC coaches at the football and multi-sports sessions. The programme forms part of AITC’s sports offer, which in 2013 engaged over 14,000 young people from Sussex in sport and physical activity.

Courses of between one and five days duration will be offered across the region, from Mini-Kickers for younger children aged 4-5 yrs to football, Goalkeeper courses and multi-sports sessions for children aged 6-14 yrs. Children can enjoy warm ups, shooting, dribbling, small-sided games and tournaments.

Larry May, Head of AITC Sports Participation said: “It’s a great way to keep the children active in the holidays. Youngsters can expect to develop and improve their football and general sports skills in a safe, structured and fun environment.

“Women’s and girls’ football in England continues to go from strength to strength and through initiatives such as our Sports Coaching sessions, we’re hoping to encourage more girls across Sussex to become involved in the game and wider team sports.”

Ivan Mainprize, Vice President at American Express said: “Each year, hundreds of our employees volunteer time to support our Realise the Potential of the Community programme in partnership with AITC, which benefits the communities where we live and work. Programmes like this, encourage children to build self-confidence and develop team working and group co-operation skills, as well as improving their overall sporting skills.”

Last year, several hundred children participated in AITC Sports Coaching Courses, supported by American Express employees, who volunteered 200 hours to help AITC coaches deliver the programme. Just over a quarter of those who took part were girls.

Sessions are funded by a small cover charge per child. A number of free places have been provided by American Express Healthy Living via AITC for children from lower income families. To find out more about a sports coaching session in your local area this Easter and later in 2014, visit www.albioninthecommunity.org.uk

Easter courses are taking place in:

EAST SUSSEX

7-8 Apr Battle: Claverham Community College

10-11 Apr Eastbourne: Ratton School

14-15 Apr Uckfield: Uckfield Leisure Centre

WEST SUSSEX

7-8 Apr Worthing: Thomas A Becket Middle School

9 Apr Steyning: St Andrew’s Primary School

9 Apr Hassocks: Downlands School - Goalkeepers

9-11 Apr Hassocks: Downlands School

10 Apr Hassocks: Downlands School, Mini Kickers (ages 4-5 yrs)

14 Apr Chichester: Six Villages Sports Centre

15 Apr Billingshurst: Plaistow & Kirdford Primary School

16-17 Apr Haywards Heath: St Joseph’s School

BRIGHTON & HOVE

7-8 Apr Hove: Blatchington Mill School

10-11 Apr Patcham: Patcham Junior School

14-15 Apr Hove: Hove Park Upper School - Goalkeepers

15 Apr Hove: Hove Park Upper School Mini Kickers (ages 4-5 yrs)

16-17 Apr Brighton: Dorothy Stringer School