A FOOTBALL club has won £120,000 to provide training and jobs for unemployed people in Rhyl.
The money has been awarded to Rhyl Football Club’s Football in the Community scheme through a project run by Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) which is supporting around 3,000 people in North and East Wales over the next two years.
The funding for Rhyl Football in the Community will give training and job opportunities to 24 people including single parents, people over 50 and ex-offenders.
Those who go through the programme will be organising fundraising events, sponsors’ functions and developing websites during four months’ paid work experience.
They will also receive training from the Football Association of Wales to gain Level 1 coaching qualifications which will allow them to become volunteer coaches at clubs in the area. Part of the football qualifications will involve delivering coaching sessions and organising competitions for junior teams from Rhyl West and Bruton Park - two of the most disadvantaged communities in Wales.
Graham Benfield, the WCVA’s chief executive commented: "As well as providing work opportunities to people who would otherwise find it very difficult in the current climate, this project will also leave a lasting community legacy.”
Tracey Jones, manager for Rhyl FC’s football in the community project, welcomed the new initiative.
“The club want to turn the stands out to the community, we’re a community run club and everybody really gets stuck in. We have six on the course already, and they’re a great bunch; we have a really good mix, with two women, two men and two young lads, and the support they’ve shown each other has been great.”
The 16 week training course will be undertaken by six applicants at a time, with more information on applying for courses available through Rhyl FC’s programme and through Rhyl job centre.