Tag: SUCET

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EASST continues support of Southend United Community & Educational Trust

Southend United Community & Educational Trust (SUCET) – the official charity of Southend United – is pleased to announce the receipt of £38,000 from long-time supporter, Essex and Southend Sports Trust (EASST).

EASST provides charitable grants in support of sport and in particular football and cricket within Southend-on-Sea and the wider county of Essex.

EASST has been supporting SUCET every season since making its first grant in 2003.

Accumulatively, it has donated a total of £373,000 to SUCET over a 17-year period, providing sporting access for children and young people within South East Essex.

The money this year will go towards supporting the Premier League Kicks and Senior Shrimpers programmes, as well as contributing towards the costs of an accessible mini bus.

Peter Butler, Chairman of EASST, commented:

“This is the 17th successive year that EASST has made an annual grant to Southend United Community & Educational Trust.

“The Trustees are proud to have been able to support the growth of SUCET over this period and thank Dale Spiby and his team for the wonderful work they are doing on community projects in Southend and its surrounding areas.”

Dale Spiby, CEO of SUCET, commented:

“I’d like to say a big thank you to Peter Butler and Joe Sims of EASST for their ongoing support of Southend United Community & Educational Trust.

“The annual grant allows us to match fund against other funders, reaching even more children and young people in South East Essex and giving them access to life-changing programmes that they wouldn’t otherwise have access to.”

For more information about EASST, please visit www.easst.org.uk.

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McLaughlin nominated for PFA Player in the Community

Southend United midfielder Stephen McLaughlin has been nominated for the PFA Player in the Community Award at this year’s EFL Awards.

McLaughlin has supported a range of Southend United Community & Educational Trust (SUCET) projects during 2019, displaying an outstanding attitude towards work carried out in the community.

At the beginning of the calendar year, the Irishman took part in a fun Soccer School Q&A with children at St. Mary’s Prittlewell C of E Primary School, passing on advice for the future.

The 29-year-old surprised young Blues fan Tyler at his home on the Kursaal estate, handing over a signed football from the squad and free tickets to a first team match at Roots Hall.

Tyler, 7, is a regular attendee of SUCET sessions including Soccer Schools and After School Clubs.

During Christmas, McLaughlin paid a special visit to HARP’s Bradbury Day Centre along with teammates Tom Hopper and Brandon Goodship to help support local homeless people.

He donated food parcels containing items such as cereal, coffee and granola bars to service users, as well as volunteering in the kitchen.

Established in 2006, the EFL Awards is an annual awards ceremony commemorating football-related people involved in the three divisions of the EFL.

This year’s event will take place on Sunday 19 April at Grosvenor House London, Park Lane.

Entries will be judged and shortlisted for the award, before winners for each league and an overall PFA Player in the Community are announced at the event.

McLaughlin commented:

“I’m really grateful that I have been nominated for this award.

“It’s very important that the club does community work and as players we get involved.

“I’ve witnessed first hand what it does for people and it’s priceless.”

To find out more about the EFL Awards, please visit: www.efl.com/EFLAwards2020.

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Utilita EFL Girls Cup: Southend High School for Girls reach South Area final

Southend High School for Girls did themselves and Southend United proud in the Utilita EFL Girls Cup South Area Finals in Luton, as they were just a penalty shootout away from qualifying for the Regional Finals.

The EFL Girls Cup comprises of a six-a-side tournament for U-13 girls, culminating in a once in a lifetime opportunity to play at Wembley Stadium across the Sky Bet Play-Off weekend in May.

The girls went unbeaten in the group stages, registering an impressive four wins and two draws to qualify for the final four.

Peterborough were the opponents in the semi-finals as Southend High School for Girls progressed on penalties, following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

The Southend United representatives produced a valiant display against Wycombe Wanderers in the final, holding them to a 1-1 draw after extra time before bowing out on penalties in dramatic fashion.

Everyone at Southend United Community & Educational Trust would like to congratulate the girls for their brilliant efforts.

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Prince’s Trust Team pair gain workplace skills at local community group

Aneesha and Adam from Southend United Community & Educational Trust’s (SUCET) Prince’s Trust Team programme have been gaining valuable skills in the workplace by volunteering at the Trinity Family Centre Shop in the heart of Westcliff-on-Sea.

The Trinity Family Centre Shop is a registered charity and community group, running all kinds of cheap, fun and educational activities all year round, including after school clubs, holiday clubs, a community café and a pensioners group.

As part of Prince’s Trust Team, the pair have been undertaking two weeks’ work experience, helping out around the shop and dealing with customers.

Tasks include tidying clothes, cleaning, ordering books, working on the till and pricing.

The work experience element aims to strengthen the individuals’ CVs and enhance their chances of securing full-time employment.

Sarah Holmes, Trinity Family Centre Shop’s Manager, commented:

“We wanted to introduce work placements into the shop, where we felt it’d be really helpful for young people to learn retail skills, improve their communication skills and their confidence.

“All of the young people we’ve had from the Prince’s Trust Team programme have brought something to the shop that we weren’t expecting and helped us become better organised.”

Aneesha commented:

“It’s been going really well.

“I’ve been doing till work which I’ve found tricky and difficult, but Sarah has really helped me a lot.”

For more information about SUCET’s Prince’s Trust Team programme and February 2020 places, please contact Charlie Barlow on 01702 341351 or c.barlow@southendunited-cet.co.uk.

For more information about the Trinity Family Centre Shop, please visit www.trinityfamilycentre.org.

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Every Player Counts has positive impact on Rachael

To mark EFL Day of Disabilities and the relaunch of Every Player Counts, participant Rachael has explained how the programme has benefitted her personal development.

Every Player Counts supports the EFL Trust’s aim of increasing sports participation for all and has significantly changed the lives of people by providing those with a disability a pathway into sport.

A further £0.5m donation from Wembley National Stadium Trust will create new opportunities as the disability football programme moves into its fourth successive year.

Twenty five Club Community Organisations (CCOs) from the EFL Trust run the Every Player Counts programme and Southend United Community & Educational Trust (SUCET) is one of those clubs that tailors the programme to the specific needs of its local community.

Sessions take place weekly at Papworth Trust’s Basildon Centre, which provides person-centred support for adults who live with physical and/or learning disabilities.

Rachael, who is from Basildon, has been developing her confidence and fitness through the sessions put on by SUCET coaches.

Rachael commented:

“The main skills I’ve developed are teamwork, confidence, coordination and focus.

“The sessions make me happy and I enjoy all the activities that we do, such as throwing, catching and moving.

“I feel as if I’ve improved my wellbeing and generally as an individual.”

For more information about the Every Player Counts programme, please visit this page.

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Health4Life promotes healthy living among Southend children

Local children have been benefiting from Health4Life, a joint healthy weight initiative between Southend United Community & Educational Trust and Southend-on-Sea Borough Council.

The free programme aims to help local children and families enjoy a healthy and happy lifestyle, encompassing six-week after school clubs broken down into classroom theory and physical exercise.

In the latest session at Garon Park, the children took part in a fun mini tennis activity, learning basics such as backhand and forehand shots, serving, hand-eye coordination and movement.

As well as the physical side, they also practice valuable cooking skills, learning about healthy eating, cooking on a budget, understanding food labels, creating balanced meals and the importance of sleep.

Shaimeerann, Health4Life participant, commented:

“I really enjoy all the sessions and feel much healthier than before.

“I’ve improved my cooking skills and learned about different types of healthy foods.

“The staff have been really supportive and always make the sessions fun to be in!”

Pat, parent of Health4Life participant Nadia, commented:

“Health4Life is perfect for children learning different activities.

“My daughter always looks forward to coming!”

For more information about SUCET’s Health & Wellbeing scheme, please visit this page.

For more information about Health4Life, please visit www.southend.gov.uk/health4life.

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Prince Avenue Academy pupils interview Frankie Banks as part of #iwill campaign

As part of the #iwill campaign, Prince Avenue Academy pupils Alex and Lacie from Southend United Community & Educational Trust’s Premier League Primary Stars programme got the chance to interview Southend United legend Frankie Banks.

The #iwill campaign makes social action part of life for young people, emphasising the power of youth.

Alex and Lacie, both in Year 3, turned interviewers for the day as they sat down with Frankie to ask him a range of questions around his career playing professional football and his role within the local community.

Having started at Southend United in 1958 as a 13-year-old, Frankie went onto make nearly 100 appearances as a Blues player.

Frankie has been a player, reserve team manager, assistant manager, first team manager and coach at Southend United and became the club’s first ever community officer.

For more information about SUCET’s PL Primary Stars programme, please contact Dan King on 01702 341351 or d.king@southendunited-cet.co.uk.

For more information about the #iwill campaign, please visit www.iwill.org.uk.

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SUCET and Me & You Education deliver anti-extremism message

In partnership with Me & You Education and the Home Office, Southend United Community & Educational Trust has been educating Southend’s young people about anti-extremism, anti-radicalism and anti-racism.

Me & You Education Co-Founder, Irfan Chishti, and Associate Trainer and former English Defence League member, Ivan Humble, delivered a series of hour-long assemblies to pupils at St Bernard’s High School in Westcliff-on-Sea in their latest outing.

Prior to that, they visited Cecil Jones Academy, Chase High School, Southend High School for Girls and Victory Park Academy, an Alternative Provision establishment.

The assemblies are designed to raise awareness on far-right extremist dialogue, provide counter arguments to extremist narratives and equip people with the know-how on how to raise a concern.

The motto throughout the day was very much to help encourage the young people to think for themselves.

Chishti commented:

“The core of Me & You Education is all about identity and belonging.

“We’re saying to young people ‘Look, we’re all very different…we’ve all got our own unique aspects of who we are.

“The big message is be comfortable, be confident with who you are.

“All we can hope for is that God forbid, if any of these kids get attacked, experience grooming or get affected by radicalisation, they’ll be able to step back and say ‘Hang on a second, we had that little exercise where we were told how important it was to think for yourself.”

Temi, a Year 9 pupil at St Bernard’s High School, commented:

“I found the assembly really informative.

“It shows how it doesn’t matter what race or gender you are, or anything about you.

“It’s just about your personality and you shouldn’t be judged on your skin colour.”

For more information about SUCET’s Community Cohesion scheme, please visit this page.

For more information about Me & You Education, please visit www.meandyoueducation.co.uk.

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Tim’s work with SUCET rewarded by The Jack Petchey Foundation

Basildon youngster Tim Brown has won a prestigious Jack Petchey Achievement Award from The Jack Petchey Foundation as a reward for his positive work in the community through Southend United Community & Educational Trust (SUCET).

The Jack Petchey Foundation was set up by Sir Jack Petchey CBE to inspire and motivate young people across London and Essex to do their best and reach their full potential.

The Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme recognises outstanding young people aged 11-25 across London and Essex.

A current member of SUCET’s Traineeships programme, Tim began his journey on the Prince’s Trust Team programme, where he helped renovate Blenheim Children’s Centre as part of a group community project.

The 20-year-old has volunteered as a referee at local community sessions such as PL Kicks and the EFL Girls Cup, displaying fantastic communication skills and a real willingness to learn.

He is currently enrolled on the Traineeships programme and hopes to secure full-time employment within the sporting industry.

As part of the Achievement Award, Tim has received a certificate, pin badge and a book from Sir Jack himself as well as a £250 grant to benefit SUCET.

All Award winners are invited to attend a fun ceremony to be presented with a medallion in front of their families, friends and VIPs.

Tim commented:

“I’m really happy and proud to have won a Jack Petchey Achievement Award and would like to thank the staff at Southend United Community & Educational Trust for nominating me for the Award.

“I feel as if I’ve benefitted a lot from getting involved with SUCET and making a positive impact in Southend and its surrounding areas.

“I’ve definitely become a more all-rounded person and grown in confidence as a result.”

Zac Smith, SUCET’s Head of Traineeships, commented:

“It’s been a real pleasure to be a part of Tim’s progression and see him flourish throughout his time being on the Prince’s Trust Team and Traineeships programmes here at Southend United Community & Educational Trust.

“Tim has a real can-do attitude and is always keen to help others. For his efforts to be recognised by The Jack Petchey Foundation is fantastic and testament to his hard work and growth as a person.”

For more information about SUCET’s Traineeships programme, please contact Zac Smith on 01702 341351 or z.smith@southendunited-cet.co.uk.

For more information about The Jack Petchey Foundation, please visit www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk.

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Utilita EFL Kids Cup and Girls Cup first rounds complete

On Wednesday 23rd October and Thursday 24th October, the first round of the Utilita EFL Kids Cup and Girls Cup competitions took place at Waterside Farm Leisure Centre and The Len Forge Centre respectively.

Kents Hill Junior School came out on top in the EFL Kids Cup, whilst Southend High School for Girls reigned supreme in the EFL Girls Cup.

The EFL Kids Cup is a national six-a-aside tournament for junior footballers (U-11) which offers children the once in a lifetime opportunity to play at Wembley Stadium across the Sky Bet Play-Off weekend in May.

The EFL Girls Cup comprises of a six-a-side tournament for U-13 girls, culminating in a once in a lifetime opportunity to play at Wembley Stadium across the Sky Bet Play-Off weekend in May.

A total of 13 local primary schools split into 18 teams competed in the EFL Kids Cup.

In the semi-finals, Kents Hill Junior School beat Glebe Primary School and Chalkwell Hall Junior School (A) saw off Fairways Primary School.

Kents Hill Junior School ran out 2-0 winners against Chalkwell Hall Junior School (A) in the final and will represent Southend United in the second round.

A total of 10 local secondary schools split into 12 teams competed in the EFL Girls Cup.

In the semi-finals, Southend High School for Girls beat Shenfield High School (A) and The FitzWimarc School saw off Castle View School.

Southend High School for Girls ran out 1-0 winners against The FitzWimarc School in the final and will represent Southend United in the second round.

You can watch a full video summary of each competition below.

To view photos from each competition, please head to SUCET’s Facebook page.