Rebecca Harris MP was invited to Canvey Island FC to see the Soccability Initiative in action.
Rebecca applauded the Pitching In Isthmian Premier Division side's outstanding community engagement work through Soccability, a programme which enables young disabled people across Castle Point to get involved in football. Soccability is supported by PitchingIn and their multi-million-pound investment program into the Tident Leagues to support grass roots football and open up the game to the wider community. It sees club members supporting local young people with learning difficulties in South Essex supporting them with training, matches and kickabouts in their sessions at Waterside Farm.
Rebecca commented: “There are people from all around the area that come here, it’s not just good for them physically but it’s good for their mental health. The outreach this has beyond the club is huge for local young people. It’s quite a broad geographic area around here among young men and women. It’s something that adds real extra value in their lives, it’s that sense of involvement that really brings it alive as well and feeling part of something bigger.
‘A huge well done to all those involved, including Mr Mustafa, Socability coach and the Chairman of Canvey FC, John Batch, and of course to all the players, volunteers and supporters who have made created this resounding success"
The programme, funded by Pitching In’s Trident Community Foundation, has gone from strength to strength over the years and provides an outlet for young people throughout the area. Individuals with all disabilities or impairments are encouraged to attend the sessions, regardless of their ability and the team have the opportunity to play friendlies and Soccability tournaments against other local teams.
Canvey Island chairman John Batch, who has played and coached at all levels within the club, and former Football League player Tarkan Mustafa make the programme possible through their unwavering volunteering work. The pair have nurtured the skills of many who have grown in confidence on and off the pitch and the programme continues to grow exponentially in membership.
Batch said: “Giving young people the chance to take part in football, something they like, but have not necessarily had the opportunity to get involved in has been great. We’ve seen the differences made in all of their lives, not just as they’ve gradually gotten better at playing football, they’ve also become more confident as adults. I spoke to Tarkan, who's been an ambassador for this for this scheme. He’s played for England non-league team, he’s played at Wembley three times, 200 league games in the Football League. To have someone with that experience and that knowledge to willingly to give their time as he does, it's been a magnificent plus with this, mainly because the funding has enabled us to push it to other levels."
Volunteers across the Trident Leagues are crucial to helping local communities get the best out of their clubs. As Canvey Island FC’s first team build on a 2022 promotion feat and a 2023 play-off semi-final, the club are also moving in the right direction off the pitch, opening up the game across Castle Point.
“It’s getting bigger and better,” Mustafa added. “We’ve attracted more and more players. I remember one of the players saying to me, "it’s the first time I realised that I need to get out and be a part of something", so it’s had a massive impact on their lives and that’s why we’re here today.”
Rebecca watched Canvey FC's first team uut on the pitch supporting the Soccability team and it was clear everyone was having a great time. It's what grassroots football is all about. The Soccability team have been playing for several years now and in 2019 they won the Charles Culwick Cup.
Rebecca thanks Pitching in their support for their programme, they do important work through promoting the value of grassroots football and showing the difference it makes to local communities.
You can find out more about the club’s Soccability Initiative on their website: www.canveyislandfc.com
