Argyle Community Trust THE PL Kicks Programme, delivered by Argyle Community Trust, aims to help socially deprived areas in the local community. By utilising football as a tool, PL Kicks is a social inclusion project that uses sport to prevent youth crime, anti-social behaviour and drug and alcohol abuse.
The programme has been delivered by Argyle since 2008 in areas such as Whitleigh, Honicknowle and Stonehouse, which are classed in the top five areas of social deprivation in Plymouth. Alongside developing football skills, PL Kicks enables young people to have the chance to build on individual skills, such as employability, food hygiene, finance and budgeting.
Argyle’s PL Kicks programme engaged McCauley Tossell as a 16 year-old in a satellite session in North Prospect, Plymouth. Whilst being heavily immersed in negative behaviour and regularly in trouble within the community, McCauley began attending PL Kicks sessions regularly. Dan Hart, a spokesman for PL Kicks at Argyle, said: “By engaging weekly with young people in free football sessions, the young people build on friendships and their social skills alongside their football talents.
“PL Kicks gives young people something to focus on. Our coaches act as role models that help influence their next step in life.”
McCauley’s continuous involvement within PL Kicks sessions meant that he was one of the first to hear about the different opportunities that are readily available at the Trust. This led to McCauley enrolling onto a twelve-week traineeship, commencing in August 2016.
Graduating in November, McCauley has now gained an FA Level 1 in coaching football, a Sports Leaders L2 in sports leadership as well as completing his Functional Skills L1 qualifications in English and Maths.
McCauley said: “PL Kicks enabled me to develop as an individual and improved my confidence. What I gained at PL Kicks fuelled me to apply for a traineeship with Argyle and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole programme.”
Argyle runs PL Kicks sessions throughout the week but also targets young people on a Friday and Saturday evening from 6pm onwards. Authorities have reported up to 50% reduction in anti-social behaviour in some of the most socially deprived areas of the UK.
To get involved with Argyle’s free PL Kicks sessions throughout Plymouth, contact Dan Hart on Dan.Hart@pafc.co.uk to find out about your nearest session.
By Annie Lewis