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Football League Trust

The Football League Trust (FLT) is responsible for all Youth Development and Community programmes at Football League clubs.

Dave Edmundson, General Manager at the Football League Trust says “Football is a powerful agent for engaging with all members of the community, especially children and families. Football League Clubs already deliver a number of community-based programmes in areas including sports participation, health, social inclusion and environment, but we recognise there is an increasing role for Football League Clubs in their communities. All clubs are now required to deliver programmes that are directly linked to education – and we are encouraging the clubs to work directly with trust schools to deliver these programmes. Significant outcomes and mutual objectives can be achieved by enhancing and developing formal links with trust schools. The benefits to all concerned are exciting”.

The partnership between Willenhall School Sports College and Walsall Football Club began in March 2009. Willenhall Schools Sports College selected partners who they believed would add to the development of their sports specialism, and so the collaboration with Walsall Football Club was a natural one.

The club shares many of the school’s interests in developing employability skills, raising aspirations and levels of attainment and providing a range of learning opportunities for 14-19 year olds. Many of the trust’s goals - increasing opportunities for participation in sport, building confidence and self-esteem through leadership activities and helping young people prepare for working life - are aims that we felt we could provide substantial support in achieving.

The club has identified Walsall coaches that will act as mentors for students, particularly disaffected boys and low achievers. The school and club believe that extra-curricular activities can affect the motivation of students and have a positive academic impact. They both also anticipate a change in behaviour by working on the student’s leadership skills. By improving their teamwork and communication abilities, students gain key work skills. 

This vocational element is further developed through qualified pupils with coaching experience being able to support staff in primary school and providing opportunities to be employed by the local community centre for evening work and holidays. This requires dedication and discipline from its volunteers who may have previously struggled to find work and benefits the wider local community.

Vicki Till, Headteacher, Willenhall School and Sports College says of the partnership: “I am really enjoying working with Walsall Football Club as they are able to offer a wider variety of expertise and perspectives to our agenda. Helping us view things from a different angle will help us bring fresh ideas to our purpose of raising standards. I am very excited!”