Keeping Kids on Track
Mr Ali is the captain of JABS B8 FC which is a club that was formed over 30 years ago from local players in Alum Rock. Some of the players are close to hanging up their boots after illustrious careers and wish to continue to remain involved by mentoring children by channelling their energy in a positive way through football.
The importance of this increased when a friend of one of the team members who was 19 years of age spent 10 days in intensive care after being involved in a fight and missed his sister’s wedding. As a result of hearing this JABS B8 FC Academy was formed 18 months ago by the senior’s players which have all been self-financed.
The aim of the youth football academy is to train, coach and develop children from the deprived inner city Washwood Heath area every Sunday, at the newly named Rockwood School where children of all ages are welcome.
The demand has been overwhelming and we have over 50 children coming every week and our under 10’s have won various trophies. Our long term future and vision is to strengthen our links with the local clubs and uncover and develop players that will go onto forge a full time professional career as a footballer and most importantly go onto become confident upstanding members of the community. JABS B8 FC is looking for resources and funding that will help us to purchase equipment and enter team into Sunday league.
