Swindon Town Football in the Community Trust have returned from Zambia after completing their 6 day coaching programme in the town of Livingstone. This year marked the 3rd visit by the Trust since 2008.
The coaching team worked with over 300 youngsters and 35 Zambia Association Coaches during their visit to Africa with the word of Swindon Town Football Club being spread far and wide.
The week involved the Trust working with a local Under 17 Team along other teams ranging from 12 – 18 years in addition this year saw the launch of the Girls coaching programme which was led by Beth Thompson and Jon Holloway.
Throughout the week the 5 coaches delivered a coach education programme to the 30+ Zambia Coaches Association Workshop which covered many aspects of the game. This work is seen as a crucial element of the trip as it gives the coaches new ideas and initiatives to further develop the young players within the region of Livingstone.
Thursday saw Jon, Beth and Clive deliver a coaching session to local school children of Nakitindi. The team worked with over 60 children at the school whilst also getting an insight into local life with a village tour by local coach Charles. Luke and Tim were at Bhurati Sports Ground where over 50 local children between the ages of 7 and 11 attended a skills based session. The children also all went away with a football shirt each from the donations delivered to Zambia the week before. The Trust donated books, pens, pencils and educational materials to help the educational programme at Nakitindi School.
The coaching programme in Zambia was completed on Friday with 16 teams of Under 17’s Boys and 5 under 17’s Girls teams taking part in the 2nd STFiTC Festival of Football. The 21 teams all received boxes of donations consisting of a full playing kit, t-shirts, junior and adult football boots and trainers.
The boys and girls took part in 7 a side competition with matches consisting of 20 minutes, with the top two teams in the boys categories progressing through to the Quarter Final stage. The girls’ tournament provided as much excitement off the pitch as on the pitch with girls dancing and singing for their teams whilst the boys’ games saw great celebrations every time the ball hit the back of the net. The final of the boys saw Railway Stars triumph with a 3-2 win in an exciting penalty shootout with their keeper receiving the player of the tournament tracksuit and shirt.
Amit Rama who was instrumental in the STFiTC coaching programme was presented with a Swindon Town First team shirt which is now proudly being displayed in the clubhouse at Bhurati Sports Ground alongside various photos and kits of Premiership teams.
Saturday evening saw the STFiTC team and Coaches from the Zambian Coaches Association come together to celebrate the weeks success. STFiTC were presented with individual gifts including a handmade beaded STFC logo whilst all Zambian Coaches received their certificate recognition for their attendance to the Coaching Workshop. 100 hand stitched Alive and Kicking footballs were distributed to each individual team coach and to various schools and youth groups throughout the coaching programme.
STFiTC left Zambia on Sunday knowing that the word of Swindon Town FC has been spread far and wide and that the good work carried out over the past 5 years in England and in Africa has helped to improve the standard of coaching and football in the regions of Kitwe and Livingstone.
STFiTC would like to thank all the individuals and teams that have donated kit, money, footballs and much more to the 2011 appeal and it is kindly appreciated by the STFiTC team and residents of Africa.
