On Friday 11th March, Gills Community Trust welcomed back the team from the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust to MEMS Priestfield Stadium and the First Team training ground.
The Dame Kelly Holmes Trust supports athletes as they transition from sport, and use their unique skills to transform the lives of disadvantaged young people through different mentoring programmes. There are just fewer than one million young people not in employment, education or training in the UK. The Dame Kelly Holmes Trusts mentoring programmes is run across the country by their team of world class athletes, which make real lasting changes to the lives of disadvantaged young people.
The group of 18 young people were accompanied by Michelle Robinson, former Olympian & Jimmy Corbett, former professional footballer. As they arrived at the Gills training ground, they took part in a football coaching programme, consisting of a fun warm up, specific footballing drills and some fun games in the morning with the Community Trust coaches.
After the morning session at the training ground, the group made their way to Priestfield Stadium where they had lunch in one of the hospitality suites. As they enjoyed their lunch, they were given some information regarding the football club and the history of the stadium before receiving a full tour of all the facilities shortly after.
Swale Community Leisure Ltd, Community Development Officer, Ben Ryder said “The young people that attended Friday's session were on a programme called ‘Get on Track’ which is a mentoring programme lead by elite athletes which aims to improve the young person’s communication, teamwork, confidence, health and well-being. On the programme the young people get the opportunity to experience things they might not be able to such as going to Gillingham FC, Go Ape and The Olympic Park.”
Community Trust Sports Development and Participation Officer, Jack Knighton added “Working in partnership with the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust to give disadvantaged young adults the chance to see what opportunities there in sport and in particular football is fantastic. It’s also great to get them active and working as a team, with the massive bonus of training alongside the Gills first team.”
To find out more about the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust please click here.
To find out more about our Social Action projects please contact Jack Knighton, jknighton@priestfield.com or 01634 350125.