Birmingham Youth Sports Academy (BYSA) have recently announced their partnership with the Armed Forces to offer the academy a 12-week specialist mentoring programme.
The scheme, which commenced on 6thSeptember, has been produced as a joint venture, with members of the armed forces teaching the children core values of fairness, self-control, communication, leadership, first aid and basic life skills.
Abid Khan, Vice President of BYSAconfirms: “We are thrilled to be able to offer the young people of the academy this brilliant opportunity for them to widen their skill set and learn things they may not have the opportunity to do so. Programmes like this are invaluable to the young Birmingham community, allowing them to partake in extra-curricular activities and achieve something amazing.”
The BYSA recently signed the ‘Armed Forces Covenant’, where organisations pledge to support the Armed Forces Community, recognising the value of those currently serve or have served the country in any capacity.
The officers were so impressed with the BYSA initiative and their commitment to helping children and young adults that they wanted to offer their unique training to help develop the student’s skillsets for their future.
Once the children have completed the programme, there will be a graduation ceremony hosted by high ranking officers from the forces, where the graduates of the scheme will all receive a certificate of completion.
Siamha Butt from West Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadet Association explains: “We’re delighted and excited to be able to offer students the tools and skillsets that we develop here at the Armed Forces. The staff and I were so impressed with the work that BYSA does with their students that we wanted to build upon the excellent programmes they offer and provide them with something extra to take away with them into their future roles.”
Established in 2002, BYSA is a voluntary organisation and receives funding from a variety of organisations in order to offer football coaching to young people between the ages of 6-18 at Small Heath Leisure Centre.
The BYSA also offer a volunteer-held mentoring programme for its 14 – 18-year-old members, to help develop their academic and career prospects.
For more information, please visit www.BYSA.co.uk.
