News | Community programme plans

Blyth Spartans AFC has been busy making preparations for the launch of its community programme.

With the prospects of an easing in lockdown restrictions ever closer, plans are at an advanced stage to launch a series of community-based projects which will improve the fitness and well-being of all age groups.

We will be working with Dugout Coaching to deliver a range of projects which we have grouped into three categories: Adult, Youth and School programmes.

Starting in the school Easter holidays, we hope to run two soccer camps and two sports camps on the pitch at Croft Park and the adjacent 3G pitch. Boys and girls aged between 7 and 13 years will be offered a range of activities in a safe environment with qualified coaches.

The courses will cater for all abilities with the emphasis being on enjoyment and participation.

Further details of the courses offered and how to register will be announced in the coming days.

Once we get the green light to commence grassroots sport, we will re-activate our popular walking football session, which are aimed at the over 50's.

We plan to introduce an extra evening session by popular demand and we will now run two morning and two evening sessions on the 3G pitch.

Again, the emphasis is on enjoyment and ability is not a pre-requisite. Put another way, it is an opportunity for a bunch of older blokes to kick a ball around and enjoy a bit of company and banter for an hour or so.

We are engaging with local statutory bodies regarding the provision of regular fitness and football sessions, giving much-needed social interaction to improve our mental health and well being and we hope to offer inclusive day time fitness classes, focusing on health and fitness.

We will be contacting every primary school in the town to offer a range of projects ranging from national curriculum delivery to lunchtime and after-school clubs.

We also hope to open up Croft Park for activities and tournaments.

All our projects will be run in conjunction with the Covid regulations and guidelines in force at the time in a safe environment.

Mike Coulson

General Manager at Blyth Spartans AFC