Our participant for the award was nominated by LFC Foundation's Youth & Schools Coordinator, Holly Kinsella for their fantastic commitment towards the Onside programme.

They have successfully completed 2 qualifications as part of the Onside LFC Foundation programme over the autumn term for 12 weeks.

The LFC Foundation’s Onside programme aims to support young people within secondary schools, delivering a curriculum that aligns with the Prince's Trust Achieve Award and Sports Leaders Level 1 Award. The aim of the programme is to raise young peoples' aspirations inside and outside of education, empowering them to take responsibility of their own development.

Student cohorts are selected by school staff based on current needs both inside or outside of education.

Holly said…

‘It’s always amazing to see our participants grow in confidence, and it has been a privilege to be a witness to their growth journey.’

As each session progresses, you see changes in body language from participants. They enjoy the programme and slowly become more confident, relaxed and join in more with peers. It’s particularly good for participants who may feel guarded or less confident in social situations. But to see these participants get more and more involved in all aspects of the course, from physical sport sessions, team bonding classroom activities, even pushing themselves out of their comfort zone and successfully planning and leading a PE session focused on dodgeball.

It was highlighted by a teaching assistant at their school just how much confidence their students’ have gained from these experiences. When their teacher came to witness the Sports Leadership Level 1 assessment, they were astounded by how willing each pupil was to take part in these social activities, and how often feedback and praise is given by students to each other during sessions.

The teacher expressed: ‘The LFC Onside programme has been a roaring success our school over the last couple of years. Students have been selected for the program as a form of alternate provision to teach them skills they may not have learnt in a conventional classroom. The change we have seen in some of the students has been monumental…More confident, more outspoken and higher self-esteem are just a handful of the positive changes we have seen in some of our students.’

Holly, who works closely with our participant praised them on their growth: ‘I am very proud of all they have overcome during these past 12 weeks. They have huge potential to do amazing things and it is great that their love of football and other sports has allowed them to break into their potential”.

The participant expressed that they would like to do the program all over again, that they have enjoyed it and has created positive relationships with peers and adults within their school.

For their hard work and dedicated attitude to the Onside programme, they were awarded with the opportunity to attend the LFC Foundation Legends game, as well as being April’s Champion of the Month.