Project Aspire And Chelsea FC Foundation Team Up For Football In The Community

Published on: 25 May, 2016
Updated on: 24 May, 2016

Young footballers show off their skills.

Aspiring young footballers and sports fans from across the north part of Guildford received special training, thanks to the support of the Chelsea FC Foundation and Guildford Borough Council’s Project Aspire.

The football in the community project kicked off at King’s College in Park Barn on Saturday, May 21, with secondary schoolchildren from across Guildford. The programme included an exciting mix of football skills and ran between 11am and 1pm.

Guildford Borough Cllr Iseult Roche, lead councillor for community, health and sport said: “We are delighted to be working with the Chelsea Foundation. Their support means we can offer an amazing opportunity to receive top-level coaching to local schoolchildren.”

The football skills session took place at Kings College and was attended by young people from acrtoss Guildford.

The football skills session took place at Kings College and was attended by young people from across Guildford.

Steve Shipp, football development officer at the Chelsea FC Foundation said: “This has been a really exciting project for us to be involved in and we are delighted to be able to support Project Aspire in its aim to bring the people of Guildford closer together and we equally share their belief that ‘Every Person Matters'”.

The Mayor of Guildford, Gorden Jackson, with Cllrs Iseult Roche (holding the ball) and Sheila Kirkland (left).

The Mayor of Guildford, Gordon Jackson, with Cllrs Iseult Roche (throwing the ball) and Sheila Kirkland (left, green coat), with some of those who took part and staff from the Chelsea FC Foundation, and the mayor’s wife, Sue.

Project Aspire is a three-year initiative which will work with the local community in the north area of Guildford to boost health and wellbeing, help people access jobs and training and support youngsters facing issues that affect their ability to do well at school. The council has £250,000 to give away in funds.

The council adds that the bidding will open soon for the community and local groups who require funding projects in their area.

Cllr Roche added: “We are very keen to hear from as many people in the local area as possible about how we can help you shape your community. Please get in touch if you have an idea, we would love to hear about it.”