Carlisle United Football Club and Wates Construction announced a ground-breaking new partnership back in October which saw United’s Community Sports Trust join forces with the leading contractor to deliver a variety of positive community activities and events in West Cumbria.
The partnership, the first of its kind in Cumbria, has since blossomed with the delivery of courses and packages at Mayfield Special School, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, St Benedict’s Catholic High School and St Patrick’s Primary School, as well as at leisure facilities and venues across the region.
We are delighted to welcome Wates Construction to Brunton Park for the Grimsby Town game on Saturday as we celebrate our ever-growing partnership with a 'community day of action' which will see a guard of honour, half time activities and children taking their place in the stands for the big match.
CST manager John Halpin explained some of the activities completed over the first four months of the project:
+ St Mary's (Year 3) – in our Physical Education lessons with the children we spoke about the importance of social, mental and physical health. The learning was provided to the children (aged 7-8) with an engaging, fun and comfortable approach for their age and needs. Each week we delivered fun team building activities and exciting powerpoints which covered learning from the national curriculum for PE and PSHE in a range of topics.
+ St Mary’s – our staff worked with Years 1 and 3 helping to deliver Healthy Eating / Lifestyle Workshops. All topics covered were inclusive and interactive. To support the classroom work each week was supplemented with two hours of coaching which included agility, balance coordination, multi-skills games, basic movements and technique work.
+ Mayfield – this is an all-age special school for children and young people with special educational needs. We placed a high emphasis on working toward a social, personal and fun environment for all participants. Community coaches worked very closely with members of staff to plan sessions which included agility, balance coordination, basic movements and technique work.
+ St Benedict’s – our October Soccer School at this venue was attended by 47 children from St Mary’s. Our February Soccer School was attended by 23 children from St Patrick’s. At the end of the holiday courses awards were given to the winners of the ‘Penalty King’ competition, and two special awards were given for the children who demonstrated the best attitude on the camp.
+ St Patrick’s – we worked with staff on the delivery of healthy eating and lifestyle workshops. The classroom work was supplemented by four hours of coaching which included agility, balance coordination, multi-skills games, basic movements and technique work. Small-sided games were included in weeks three to five to challenge the groups, develop competence and be physically active for sustained periods of time.