Aston Football Club coach receives SkillsActive and Nancy Ovens Bursary

Lee Rowberry, SkillsActive - 03/06/09

Matthew – who is currently completing his Level 3 football coaching qualification – beat out 57 applicants from around the UK to receive one of six SkillsActive and Nancy Ovens bursaries awarded annually to paid and un-paid individuals working within the sport, fitness, playwork, outdoors and caravan sectors. The bursaries are designed to help individuals improve their skills through an innovative training programme outside the scope of regular training.

Matthew’s enthusiasm and tireless dedication to his players made him an ideal recipient for the SkillsActive and Nancy Ovens Bursary. His Aston team, which plays in the AFA league, is made up of 16 to 21 year-olds of various nationalities, many of whom come from underprivileged backgrounds. The side has progressed considerably in the past two seasons, moving from division nine to division five.

Matthew says: “Unemployment is high in Aston and the area also has a major problem with gangs and gang violence, so part of my coaching role has been to try and help these teenagers break down barriers. I want to try and give them a broader outlook on life and to show them that there are many opportunities available to them if they work hard.”

In line with the bursary guidelines, Matthew has created his own training experience in Sweden to meet his learning and development needs. Through its partnership with Birmingham City Council, Matthew has gained support from Sweden Sport and Social Inclusion (SISU) – part of the Swedish Sports Education Federation – which has provided him with contacts from a variety of clubs in the region.

“Sport in Sweden is organised very differently compared to the UK. Of course, professional football at the top level is very similar in intended outcomes, but the social and political context is very different. SISU works with sports and community clubs on education and development activities and has extensive links across the whole of the football spectrum – from local to professional clubs.”

The training and development Matthew plans to undertake includes linking up with football coaches at local, community, amateur and semi-professional level. He also hopes to be able to work with a wide range of footballers, from women and people with disabilities, to the economically disadvantaged and elite.

“My main priority is to learn new football coaching methods and strategies for teams and individuals at a variety of levels, so I can develop myself as a coach and resource for my club and community. I’m also interested in looking at football in a societal context and how football is used as a social tool in Swedish communities. There is a very high level of sporting participation in Sweden and I think it would be useful to get an insight into how they achieve this,” Matthew says.

Having received the support from SkillsActive and the Nancy Ovens Trust, Matthew now aims to raise additional funds to help cover the cost of his trip.

“I feel very fortunate to have received a SkillsActive and Nancy Ovens Bursary, and think it’s great that volunteer coaches like me can get the support they need to develop their knowledge and skills. Sport has always been my passion and I put a lot of energy into motivating young footballers to be the best they can be. I have recruited players from many different backgrounds, breaking down numerous barriers they face in their lives and using sport as a positive outlet.”

SkillsActive – the Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure and Learning – and the Nancy Ovens Trust developed the SkillsActive and Nancy Ovens bursary in 2006 to enable individuals to take advantage of the wealth of potential learning opportunities within the active leisure and learning sector – both in the UK and abroad.

SkillsActive group chief executive Stephen Studd says: “SkillsActive is committed to improving the skills of individuals working in our sector, so is delighted to be able to offer Matthew a personal development bursary in partnership with the Nancy Ovens Trust. He is doing marvellous things in his community and should be extremely proud of what he has achieved.

“We wish Matthew all the best for his trip to Sweden and hopefully he can bring back new and improved skills which he can implement and use within his current or future roles in the sector.”

For media enquiries, or for more information on Matthew Rodney, please contact Lee Rowberry from SkillsActive’s media team on: 020 7632 2025 or email lee.rowberry@skillsactive.com. For more information on the SkillsActive and Nancy Ovens Bursary, please contact Miriam Farley on 020 7632 2918, or email Miriam.farley@skillsactive.com.