Albion in the Community Season Review 2021/22 by Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation

SEASON REVIEW 2021/22SEASON REVIEW 2021/22

ALBION IN THE COMMUNITY’S VISION IS TO SEE LIVES CHANGED IN SUSSEX COMMUNITIES BY USING THE POWER OF FOOTBALL. THIS IS THE STORY OF OUR 2021/22 SEASON... 2

SEASON REVIEW 2021/22

CONTENTS 04 .... A message from Matt Dorn 05 .... A message from Martin Perry 06 .... Our purpose, vision, and strategy 07 .... Key moments from the season 08 .... Our season in numbers 10 .... Football Participation 12 .... Focus on: Girls’ Football 14 .... Focus on: Disability Football 16 .... Case Study - Marshall 18 .... Education and Employability

20 .... Focus on: Soccer STEM 22 .... Focus on: Premier League Primary Stars 24 .... Case Study - St. Bartholomew’s Primary School 26 .... Community Wellbeing 28 .... Focus on: More Than Football 30 .... Focus on: Brighter Outlook 32 .... Focus on: Gully’s Health Squad 34 .... Case Study - Dave 36 .... Community Link – Stars of the future 39 .... Become a Community Champion

Words: Jake Heath Design: Andy Webb Thanks to: Paul Hazlewood, James Boardman Printed by: Gemini Print

Title Partner

albioninthecommunity.org.uk Albion in the Community, American Express Community Stadium, Village Way, Brighton BN1 9BL. Tel: 01273 878265. Company limited by guarantee in England and Wales (No. 5122343). Registered charity in England and Wales (No. 1110978).

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“None of this could have been possible without the hard work and dedication shown by the whole AITC team.”

Matt Dorn Albion in the Community’s chief executive reflects on another successful year at the charity... Another year has passed at Albion in the Community; a year in which we have had to overcome some unique challenges posed to us. Over the past 12 months we have had to safely manage the various obstacles imposed by the pandemic, and continued to raise vital funds for the charity amid a cost of living crisis. Of course, none of this could have been possible without the hard work and dedication shown by the whole AITC team, who have gone above and beyond to ensure we carry on making a difference in our community no matter what the circumstances. The 2021/22 season has seen us continue to expand and reach even more people in Sussex. We are proud to have launched Brighton & Hove Albion Blind FC (who played in the FA Cup Blind Final live on BT Sport), expanded the Brighter Outlook programme to support people with 4

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cancer, and launched our Gully’s Health Squad school programme. At a time when support from our community was more important than ever, we have been blown away by our truly incomparable fundraisers. We have had countless people run marathons, cycle for hundreds of miles, and organise charity concerts to raise money for AITC. That fantastic support makes our work possible. On behalf of everyone at AITC, and the many thousands who have benefitted from our work – thank you.

“Albion in the Community is a source of great pride for everyone involved with the football club.”

MARTIN PERRY Martin Perry looks back with pride at how much things have changed during his three decades with AITC... This year has been a particularly significant year for AITC for a number of reasons, one of which being the successful launch of our Community Champions programme last winter. We now have around 200 dedicated Community Champions giving us a regular donation, providing a safety net for the most vulnerable people we work with. We are also celebrating the 25th anniversary of our disability football programme this year. It’s one of our most unique and impactful programmes, and hundreds of people with disabilities benefit from it. The charity has seen a remarkable growth during my time with the Albion – we started with nothing more than an idea of using football to engage children in the classroom, and now AITC is one of the biggest football community organisations in the country, reaching more than 40,000 people every year.

The power of the Albion brand enables us to help so many more people around Sussex. Simply seeing a coach or a tutor wearing the same badge as their favourite football stars can make all the difference in engaging and supporting the young people who need our help. Albion in the Community is a source of great pride for everyone involved with the football club. Through the work of the charity, you can see a direct link between the 11 players on the pitch at the Amex and local communities all over Sussex. Our work would not be possible without the many local people, businesses, and organisations who support us. Everything you read in these pages has been made possible by them. Together, we are truly changing lives on a daily basis.

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PURPOSE. VISION. STRATEGY. Albion in the Community’s vision is to see lives changed in our communities through the power of football.

e know that football is one of the most effective ways we can enact change in local communities. Football is by far the most popular sport in the UK - around one million people attend football matches every week, with countless more at home following every update. It is a sport that transcends barriers, and brings together people of all ages and backgrounds. By taking full advantage of the power of the Albion badge, AITC can reach a significant portion of the 1.7 million people who live across Sussex. From Chichester in the west to Hastings in the east, AITC programmes support people in every corner of the county. Our work is focused on three key areas: Football Participation, Community Wellbeing, and Education & Employability.

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We work with thousands of people on the football pitch every year, either through Premier League Kicks free football sessions, weekly soccer schools, or our disability football programme. However, the power of football stretches far beyond the confines of the pitch. From nutrition sessions teaching kids how to ‘eat like a footballer’, to Soccer STEM sessions which use football to get kids interested in science and maths, we use football to engage people and improve their wellbeing in a variety of ways. AITC employs qualified teachers, health professionals, and football coaches to deliver workshops, programmes, and courses that make a real difference in local communities. Through football, AITC is transforming lives across Sussex.

Key moments Women’s football in the year of the Euros This year is an important one for women’s football in this country, with the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 being hosted here in England. AITC is working to use this high-profile tournament to engage as many women and girls as possible with the power of football. In April, dozens of women and girls in AITC’s disability football programme were given free pairs of Nike boots and free Brighton & Hove Albion kit as part of this project.

Boot Appeal AITC collected more than 300 pairs of boots after holding a boot appeal outside the Amex at the Aston Villa game in February. Hundreds of boots were generously donated by fans, staff, and players. The boots were given to participants involved in AITC’s Premier League Kicks free football programme, providing new pairs of football boots to families who need them the most.

15 years of Premier League Kicks AITC has been working with the Premier League to deliver the Premier League Kicks programme in local communities throughout Sussex over the past 15 years. The programme inspires children and young people to achieve their potential and improve their wellbeing, working together to build stronger, safer and more inclusive communities.

Launch of Community Champions 2021 saw the launch of AITC’s Community Champions programme, an exclusive regular giving scheme for its most dedicated supporters (including AITC ambassador Bruno). For as little as £5 per month you can become a Community Champion and receive regular updates and access to AITC, as well as exclusive Community Champions events at the Amex. Visit page 39 in this magazine for more information and details of how to become part of the AITC family.

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OUR SEASON IN Football is an incredibly powerful tool for social change. We are committed to using the power of football to change lives across Sussex, and one of the best ways of doing that is to get as many people as possible lacing up their boots and stepping

COMMUNITY NEED

27,820 16-17-year-olds across Sussex are not in education, employment or training.

37% of primary school children are not meeting expected standards.

onto a pitch. From weekly soccer schools to disability football camps, from free Premier League Kicks sessions to walking football for women – AITC is helping thousands of people play football every year.

20%

of reported crimes to Sussex police are because of antisocial behaviour.

26 wards in Sussex are in the top 20% of deprived wards in England.

FOOTBALL PARTICIPATION

people regularly participate in our football sessions for people with a disability.

5,183 girls participated in our activities.

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We run

Almost

500

, 1 187 4

National Disability League teams.

participants with a disability took part in activities across the charity.

4,582 young people booked onto one of our football participation programmes.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYABILITY

144

1,900

people have attended assemblies within schools raising disability awareness.

Over

people gained a qualification through one of our education programmes.

7,000

Over

schools across Sussex.

300

people have participated in one of our SEND curriculum programmes delivered in schools.

children engaged in our schools based activities including literacy and numeracy interventions.

We have delivered over

COMMUNITY WELLBEING

400

of participants from our Neighbourhood Health Squad activities said their health and fitness had improved.

people volunteered to help deliver projects across Sussex.

200

SEND sessions in schools.

Over

100%

241

2,300

Over

We worked with

people attended our Brighter Outlook programme providing exercise sessions for people living with cancer.

2,500+ people attended one of our health programmes.

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Football Participation 10

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F CUS ON:

Girls’ FOOTB both their fitness and their mental wellbeing by learning basic football skills in a friendly group environment. We’re proud to have helped more than 5,100 women and girls take part in our football activities during the 2021/22 season, but we know there is more work to be done.

very year AITC works hard to encourage more women and girls to play football.

With the UEFA Women’s Euros coming to England (including the Lionesses playing at our very own Amex Stadium), 2022 is a crucial year for women’s football in this country. Major international tournaments like these reach a huge audience, and they play an invaluable role in inspiring the next generation of footballers to get involved. With such a high-profile tournament right on our doorstep, this season has presented a key 12

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opportunity to reach even more women and girls. We run a number of female-only football sessions aimed at encouraging people who might not feel comfortable playing in a mixed environment. Our girls-only soccer schools, which often take place at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre in Lancing, have helped hundreds of girls get active and enjoy a high-quality football session. We have also run several programmes aimed at helping women improve

Justine Thomson, AITC’s Women’s Recreational Football Officer, works to provide opportunities for women and girls aged 16+ across Sussex to get involved in football. Justine told us about what she does every day to get women involved in football: “We’re getting people together for social opportunities, exercising using a ball, walking football, smallsided football. “There are so many more footballbased activities on offer outside of the competitive format we see on TV. We want women and girls to step over the side-line, whether that’s participating, coaching, or refereeing,” she said.

“I hope that we see a new wave of women lacing up for the first time and realising football has a place for them.”

BALL “A more diverse workforce will benefit the game and open more opportunities for historically underrepresented groups in the future. I think it’s incredibly important that we engage women and girls in football, it provides so many benefits: getting fit, meeting new people, developing new skills and creating new leaders.” Justine’s role was introduced as part of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 legacy project, with the country looking to take advantage of the massive audience tuning in to the tournament. “The women’s game is growing so rapidly now, and the FA want women and girls of all ages to be able to access football. I hope that through the legacy project we see a new wave of women lacing up for the first time and realising football has a place for them,” Justine said. “I’m really, really proud of the work we do here.”

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Disability Football I

n the late 1990’s a fledgling AITC launched a disability football programme, and now in 2022 we’re celebrating that programme’s 25th anniversary. Millions of people in the UK play football regularly; for so many people football is one of the biggest parts of their lives. For people with a disability however, finding somewhere to play football can prove a great challenge. Mainstream football sessions are often unsuitable for people with a disability, and a lack of available inclusive sessions means there are countless people who simply can’t play the game they love. We don’t think this is right, and we’re proud to be doing something about it.

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Albion in the Community is now one of the biggest providers of disability football, not just in Sussex, but in the UK. We make football accessible for hundreds of people across Sussex with a wide range of inclusive sessions - around 500 people with a disability regularly take part in AITC football sessions. Whether at inclusive disability football camps or at specialised disability-specific sessions, we help to make football accessible for as many people as possible.

AITC has a wide range of programmes and schemes to support people with a disability, including the charity’s inclusive community football sessions, educational work in Special Educational Needs schools, and through AITC’s disability football talent pathway.

“Getting so much attention from the public is great for the club, great for Albion in the Community, and great for disability football as a whole.” We also help run the Brighton & Hove Albion elite disability football teams: the Albion have representative teams in blind football, Powerchair Football, amputee football, and cerebral palsy football. 2021/22 was a year of great success for these teams. Our blind team earned runners-up medals in the FA Disability Cup Final at St George’s Park after narrowly losing on penalties, in front of thousands of people watching live on BT Sport. Our powerchair football team also had a very successful season, winning the WFA Championship at the first time of asking to earn promotion to the Premiership. AITC Disability Manager Paul Brackley has been excited to see disability football receive so much public attention this year. “It’s been amazing to see the media interest surrounding disability sport,” he said. “The FA Blind Cup Final was live on BT Sport, we’ve had features on BT Sport and BBC News, and some of our clips on social media have been seen by millions of people. “Getting so much attention from the public is great for the club, great for Albion in the Community, and great for disability football as a whole.” The breadth of quality in our disability talent pathway is shown by the number of players earning international callups: during 2021/22 we had 30 players called up to represent their countries. Players in our disability pathway were called up to England’s men’s

and women’s blind teams, England’s partially sighted, deaf, and Powerchair Football teams, and Scotland’s cerebral palsy team. Three of our blind football players were even called up to the England squad for the Blind Football European Championships in Italy this summer,

beating Germany to finish in third place. “We’re so proud of our disability football programme,” Brackley said. “To see it flourish like this - especially on its 25th anniversary year – is something really special.”

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“The journey this kid has been on from a nervous 11-year-old to now playing and scoring in men’s football, it’s a really nice story.”

MARSHALL

rom attending Albion in the Community’s pan-disability sessions to playing at St. George’s Park, Marshall has experienced a dramatic footballing rise.

squad for the past few years. During this time, he’s represented the Albion badge with pride at the Manchester City complex and has even graced the turf of St. George’s Park.

Six years ago, an 11-year-old footballer with autism nervously turned up for his first session with Brighton & Hove Albion’s official charity. This is what AITC’s disability co-ordinator Kenny Moor recalled.

However, considering his gifted ability and the fact that he was on the cusp of adulthood, he was ready to take the daunting next step into men’s football.

In hindsight, this day turned out to be a significant landmark in Marshall’s journey towards the beautiful game. “He came to our sessions when I first started at AITC about six years ago,” Kenny fondly remembers. “He was just this little kid with autism and was really nervous to play football, but you could definitely see that the potential was there.” From his first session with AITC, Marshall has come on leaps and bounds and has transformed into a confident and talented footballer. Operating as a centre forward, Marshall has led the line for the charity’s pan-disability development

Kenny, who helped mould Marshall into the man he is today, is the reserve team manager of a local Saturday side and invited him along. “After a couple games, he started to gain some confidence and in one game, he scored and got man of the match,” his new manager shared. “I thought to myself, ‘wow, what an improvement.’ “The journey this kid has been on from a nervous 11-year-old to now playing and scoring in men’s football, it’s a really nice story.”

and attacking antics have proven to be a nuisance for his opponents. Reflecting on his time with the club, Kenny said that he’s never met anybody who genuinely enjoys the sport as much as the 17-year-old. In retrospect, this highlights Marshall’s truly incredible journey from a nervous child to a confident man who can rub shoulders with other adults, both on the football pitch and in the dressing room. For somebody with autism this is an amazing achievement, and AITC’s disability manager Paul Brackley is proud of the impact that their sessions can have. “Marshall is the perfect example of somebody who has seriously benefitted from our sessions and has not only developed into a fine footballer, but also into a fantastic individual who now has the tools to go and succeed in all areas of life.”

Although Marshall is no longer leading the line for his new side, he seems to have found a new footballing home at right back. Here, he has channelled his inner Tariq Lamptey, as his energetic SEASON REVIEW 2021/22

Education and Employability 18

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“We use football to encourage children to learn about technology and coding in a fun way.”

SOCCER STEM

sing the power of football to engage kids in the classroom was one of the core ideas when AITC was founded more than 30 years ago. Back in those days, they might not have imagined that three decades later we’d be using robots to teach kids about coding. Our Soccer STEM initiative is a forwardthinking programme that brings technology into the classroom to help get children ready for a technological future. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) skills are so important for kids to learn from a 20

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young age, and they are skills which will help them shape tomorrow’s world.

robot on a football pitch.

However, getting young children interested in coding can be a bit of a challenge.

In late 2021, Match of the Day came down to Fairlight Primary School in Brighton to see the initiative live in action.

That’s where football steps in to help – wouldn’t you be more interested in learning to code if you were actually learning how to score a goal with a robot?

The film crew were joined by Albion ambassador Glenn Murray, and pupils from Year 6 who showed off their coding skills by making their robots move all over the football pitch.

By using small robot balls on a football pitch we show pupils how to code, think about movement and angles, solve problems, work in a team, and communicate effectively. These key skills are all being learned while the children are having fun playing with a

Murray was impressed with what he saw and reflected: “I think Soccer STEM is an incredible initiative helping children to learn important skills that they will need in their future careers and as they move into secondary school.

“It just shows how important Albion in the Community is to the city and surrounding areas to give these kids the opportunity to benefit their learning and to have fun while doing it.” AITC School’s Manager Rob Josephs explained: “Coding is one of the important skills that children need for 21st century jobs and STEM is a really important subject area that we feel we can make a real difference with. “We use football as the theme that supports schools to encourage children to learn about technology and coding in a fun way. ”Soccer STEM teaches children not just about coding but also angles, movement, problem solving, teamwork and communication. These are all skills that will equip children well for the future.”

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Premier League Primary Stars JASON?

cross the country, football clubs have collectively realised the impact they can have on young people beyond what happens on the pitch. Five years ago the Premier League launched the Primary Stars programme, aimed at reaching and inspiring primary-age pupils by using the star power of the Premier League. We deliver Primary Stars sessions in schools all over Sussex, reaching thousands of kids every single year with a whole term of fun activities to engage pupils in everything from English to PE.

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“Primary Stars is such a great example of how we can really change young lives for the better when we go into local schools.” Rob Josephs, AITC Schools Manager, is a big believer in the power of Primary Stars. As a former teacher and now a Primary Stars tutor, Rob is somebody who understands both the importance of education, and also how the profile of the football club can have a massive impact in the local community. Our Primary Stars sports mentors work with whole classes, small groups, and even individuals in order to make a big impact on every pupil we work with. That comes in the form of either lessons in school time, or after-school clubs after the final bell has rung. These sessions give children help with their physical literacy, their confidence in English, and their communication skills. The programme also helps us teach the teachers, giving them more confidence to deliver Premier League-standard PE lessons after the term is over. To help engage kids and keep their

learning grounded, everything is connected to the real world of sport. This helps us tackle important and challenging issues like resilience, diversity, self-esteem, and fair play. Over the course of the 2021/22 season we worked with 144 different schools all over Sussex, bringing Primary Stars to thousands of kids along the way. This year we’re celebrating the fifth anniversary of the programme - Albion in the Community began its Premier League Primary Stars delivery in 2016 and since then has supported more than 9,000 young people through 4,674 lessons.

He told us: “I spent 16 years as a teacher in mainstream secondary education, predominantly as a PE teacher but also as a head of year, enterprise lead and director of student leadership and participation. “I am a huge believer that football clubs are at the heart of the community and from my own sporting background and my previous work as a PE teacher, I know how much sport can impact lives in a positive way. “Primary Stars is such a great example of how we can really change young lives for the better when we go into local schools.” SEASON REVIEW 2021/22

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“The fact that there are people interested in their education other than their teachers is brilliant and it makes them want to achieve more.”

ST BARTHOLOMEW’S PRIMARY SCHOOL

e work with around 150 schools in every corner of Sussex, and each one is full of amazing and inspiring stories. One such story can be found right in the heart of Brighton – St Bartholomew’s CE Primary School on Ann Street. St Bart’s is a school bursting with character. Its 141 pupils are a diverse bunch from plenty of different backgrounds, and all of them are full of energy and brimming with ideas. We work closely with St Bart’s through programmes like Primary Stars - to use the power of the Albion to engage pupils in their schoolwork, and help unlock their potential at an early age. Dirar, a Year 4 pupil at St Bart’s, has to overcome more hurdles than most during his day-to-day life at school. Despite having cerebral palsy Dirar attends a mainstream school; he faces a number of practical challenges that most of his classmates don’t have to worry about.

Dirar being Dirar, however, he doesn’t let any barriers stop him from excelling in the classroom. Everyone at the school has been impressed by Dirar’s amazing enthusiasm and hard work. He is one of the many children to have thrived at St Bart’s, and our tutors have been especially impressed by his incredible growth in confidence during his time at the school. Katie Blood, headteacher at St Bartholomew’s, was full of admiration for young Dirar. “Dirar has been a superstar since the day he came into our school,” Katie told us, “He’s had quite a lot to go through in his little life but he’s always tackled it with great courage and great joy. “He has always been able to participate fully in the activities Albion in the Community put on for us, they’ve made everything accessible for him and encouraged him to get involved in sport.”

Dirar is just one of the many children who we’ve seen flourish at St Bart’s during our time working with the school, and headteacher Katie is full of praise for the work our amazing tutors do there. “The fact that there are people interested in their education other than their teachers is brilliant and it makes them want to achieve more,” Katie told us. She also recognised the huge power that football can have in inspiring kids in the classroom and on the sports field – especially in some girls who might not otherwise engage in sport. “We have children who are really interested in football and it’s a massive part of their life,” she said, “and to have the idea that football can encourage them with their learning in a way that perhaps we as teachers can’t makes a huge difference. “The programme encourages a lot of our girls to get involved in football too, which can only be a good thing for women in sport.”

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COMMUNITY WELLBEING 26

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MORE THAN FOOTBALL 28

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Sometimes, football really is more than just a game.

en all over Sussex are coming together to talk to each other, focus on their mental health, and have a kickabout while they’re at it – all thanks to the More Than Football programme. More Than Football uses the power of football to help tackle mental health issues in men aged 30-50 across Sussex. Mental health can be a tricky

“Football can help you massively to feel like you belong, you become a family with the people you play with.”

subject to broach, especially for a lot of men that age, but adding a football into the mix plays such a big role in breaking down barriers and helping people to open up. It is a programme which resonates with men from all backgrounds and walks of life – everyone struggles with their mental health at times. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that a number of Albion legends have thrown their support behind the programme this year. Albion legend Guy Butters has helped us promote the scheme, and he even decided to go along to a session. He loved it so much he went back the very next week. Former captain and current AITC patron Bruno is a big supporter of More Than Football, and he is convinced that football can help anyone get through tough times.

“At the end of the day, sometimes we feel like we’re on our own,” Bruno told us.

talking therapy referrals are for men, according to the Mental Health Foundation.

“From my experience as a former football player, when I’ve been going through tough times, one of my worst decisions was not to speak about it.”

More Than Football, which is supported by Heads On, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s Charity and NHS Charities Together, is playing its part in helping local men get together and talk.

It’s heartening to see former Albion stars using their audience to help raise the profile of a programme like More Than Football – mental health struggles are a topic that a lot of men can really relate to.

And, if you’re ever feeling like you need a chat, there’s sure to be a friendly group just waiting for you to come along.

Over the past few years there have been more and more campaigns aimed at getting men talking about mental health, but in reality we all know there is still such a long way to go in breaking down certain barriers.

As Bruno says: “I think football helps with everything. In difficult times it helps you get active and out of the house, and it helps you build good habits which can help break a bad cycle.

In the UK, men aged 40-49 have higher suicide rates than any other group. Despite this, only 36% of NHS

“Football can help you massively to feel like you belong, you become a family with the people you play with.”

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BRIGHTER OUTLOOK C

ancer. It’s a word none of us ever want to hear. A journey with cancer can be terrifying and daunting, and many have to walk that path alone. For someone living with cancer, it can make all the difference to find a group of people who can support them through their journey. Having that support from people who genuinely understand, who can do more 30

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than just nod sympathetically, really has such a big impact. Staying physically fit and healthy is hugely important too – it gives your body the best chance possible to stay strong throughout treatment and surgery. We’re proud to support the physical and mental wellbeing of people with cancer through the Brighter Outlook programme.

It’s a programme which helps people with a cancer diagnosis build up their physical strength and confidence (both pre- and post-treatment) to help give their bodies a fighting chance through treatment. Through fitness classes both in-person and online, people taking part in Brighter Outlook are guided through a fitness regime specifically designed to help strengthen people at different stages of their journey with cancer.

“The way the groups rally around each other and support each other really makes me proud to be a part of such an amazing programme.” Keeping fit and active, maintaining good mental health, and trying to have a healthy diet are all key parts of the programme. Over the season we supported nearly 250 people with cancer diagnoses, delivering more than 400 classes along the way. Our health team has also been spreading the word about cancer awareness, reaching nearly 50,000 people through talks, events, and online webinars. Rosie Sadler, Health Manager at AITC, says she is amazed every time she goes along to a Brighter Outlook session. “When you see people going along to Brighter Outlook and giving it their all – knowing what they’re going through – it’s really incredible to see.”

Rosie Sadler, Health Manager at AITC

Through Brighter Outlook, a lot of real friendships have been forged. People who have met on the programme regularly meet up outside of their sessions just to have a coffee and a chat; we’ve heard so many stories of people who have met friends for life through Brighter Outlook. “The way the groups rally around each other and support each other, both in the activities and also with personal struggles, really makes me proud to be a part of such an amazing programme,” Rosie said. “If there’s anyone who feels like they need help and support after their diagnosis – please come along and try Brighter Outlook. It could be one of the best decisions you make.” SEASON REVIEW 2021/22

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GULLY’S HEALTH SQUAD

hat’s the best way to get kids to eat healthy food? Get a giant cuddly seagull to tell them to do it.

At the tail end of the 2021/22 season our health team launched Gully’s Health Squad; a new initiative aimed at improving the health and nutrition of primary school students all over Sussex. Gully’s Health Squad was created to tackle poor diets and childhood obesity, especially in areas of higher deprivation. The core idea of the power of football – using the appeal of the Albion to help get across an important message – is

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“It’s a fantastic programme tackling some really important issues – physical and mental wellbeing, reducing obesity levels in children, and making lasting positive behaviour changes.” Gully’s Health Squad, which is funded through the Premier League Charitable Fund, will be rolled out to dozens of schools across Sussex over the next three years. Gully and his squad will be spending 12 weeks in each school to deliver a masterclass crash course in healthy eating, not just for the students but also for parents and teachers at each school. The first school to take part in Gully’s Health Squad – Parkland Junior School in Eastbourne – welcomed Gully and the team in June for an interactive assembly about the benefits of swapping junk food for healthy treats. Rosie Sadler, Health Manager at AITC, said: “We’re really pleased that Gully’s Health Squad has got underway.

just as relevant in the kitchen as it is on the football pitch.

increasing the risk of obesity for their own children later in life.

Gully’s Health Squad will be travelling to different schools across the county (with Gully providing his trademark warmth and wit), delivering assemblies, activities, and after-school clubs all aimed at promoting healthy eating.

In England, a third of children leave primary school overweight/obese. Obesity does not affect all populations equally, with children from the most deprived areas being twice as likely to develop obesity compared with children from more affluent areas.

Poor diet and physical inactivity are the primary factors to excess weight and obesity, which is a major public health concern in England. Childhood obesity and excess weight can result in serious implications to children’s physical and mental health, continuing into adulthood, and

“It’s a fantastic programme tackling some really important issues – physical and mental wellbeing, reducing obesity levels in children, and engaging families in making lasting positive behaviour changes.”

Experiences at an early age that feel fun and positive give children a sense of confidence, and help them build foundations for a healthy, active life.

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“My diagnosis is quite a scary one - it could flare up again and become serious quite quickly. You get used to living from one scan to the next.”

DAVE

ave, from Lewes, refuses to let cancer tell him what he can and can’t do.

In 2021, Dave’s life was changed when doctors found a tumour in his brain – a GBM4 Geloblastoma Multiforma. It came as a big shock to him. He had no idea that anything had been wrong, and the tumour only came to light after Dave had a nasty accident one day at home. ”I’d just started an online meeting with someone when I had a seizure,” Dave told us, “there was blood on the carpet and I didn’t come around for around an hour. It was all a bit dramatic to be honest!” Dave soon had surgery to remove the tumour. To regain his strength and fitness, Dave wanted to carry on doing what he has always loved – running. “I’ve always been a runner, and after I recovered from surgery the nurse said I could start running again – just as long as I had someone with me in case I keeled over.” Dave has been a part of our Brighter

Outlook programme for around a year. It gave him a chance to improve his strength, and meet others who are going through the same journey. Like many others, Dave was very close to never even picking up the phone. “I was given all the details and I didn’t follow it up at first, but then I met someone who had been to Brighter Outlook and loved it. “That spurred me to pick up the phone and find out more – it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. “I’ve been able to do some strength & conditioning classes, and me and my wife also started doing the running club on a Monday morning down at Hove Lawns.” Despite living with a difficult diagnosis – one which could quickly take a turn for the worse – Dave has faced it all with good humour and a determination to carry on doing what he loves. “My diagnosis is quite a scary one - it could flare up again and become serious quite quickly,” Dave said, “You get used to living from one scan to the next.

“I think I’ve been quite successful in focusing on the here and now instead of worrying about things I can’t control.” In April 2022 Dave ran the BM10K in Brighton to help support Albion in the Community. If that wasn’t impressive enough, he’ll be doing it all over again in 2023 too. “Brighter Outlook has been brilliant for me. I’ve made friends with lots of other people with cancer, at various stages of their journey. “It’s mutually supportive: there’s always someone who might not feel very well, but they got themselves out of bed to come and be with friends.” “There’s a lot to be inspired by, and it’s been really good for my physical fitness and mental wellbeing,” Dave told us. If Dave has been inspired by his friends at Brighter Outlook, there’s no doubt he himself has inspired so many others with his determination to live life to the fullest.

SEASON REVIEW 2021/22

Community Link Stars of the future

hroughout the 2021/22 season Albion academy scholars have been getting involved in local communities across Sussex.

Young players have been working to get closer to local people by coaching football sessions, joining children at schools, and supporting wellbeing sessions. By getting involved in the community, these young players can have a big impact on inspiring people to live well and get active. Several academy players – including under-18 captain Ben Jackson – helped coach a soccer school session at Brighton’s Dorothy Stringer School in December. “Coming to the soccer school, it brings you back to when you were younger,” Ben Jackson said. “It’s really important because I think in football a big part of it is giving back to the community like this.”

SEASON REVIEW 2021/22

A group of stars also delivered training drills at a disability football camp in February. Several players have got involved by helping to referee matches – scholars were refereeing at the Albion Cup tournament for primary schools back in November 2021, as well as at an elite football camp last April. In keeping with the refereeing theme, the scholars were joined by Premier League officials Andre Marriner and Darren Cann when they coached children at a soccer school in April. The scheme is part of a partnership with the Premier League Charitable Fund and PFA to encourage scholars to be more involved in their communities and learn about how football club’s support community programmes.

SEASON REVIEW 2021/22

Thank you to the 5,000 people who have supported or donated to Albion in the Community this season.

Become a

Community Champion

Community Champions are a special team of loyal fans and supporters who commit to support the charity regularly with just £5 a month. In doing so they become part of a family of supporters who will receive some very exciting benefits.

For just £5 a month, you will: • Join a special team of Albion fans, local people and players supporting the charity’s work in the Sussex community.

• Receive an exclusive Community Champions pin badge, regular updates, and an end-of-season review.

• Receive invites to unique stadium events and other activities.

• Feel pride in changing the lives of those in your local community.

By providing a regular gift, Community Champions enable Albion in the Community to support those most in need by providing funds the charity can rely on in the long term.

To join the team and become a Community Champion, scan the QR code or visit: albioninthecommunity.org.uk/communitychampions If you have any questions or would like to know more about becoming a Community Champion, please email: fundraising@albioninthecommunity.org.uk.

Wear your badg e with pride

For more informa tion visit: albioninthecomm unity.org.uk

SEASON REVIEW 2021/22

BION

E AL V O H & N O RIGHT

R E C SOC S L O SCHO B

R ANYONE O F S E S R U OTBALL CO O F Y A ID L ELCOME. O W H S IE IT IL B ALL A AGED 5-13.

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Locations across Sussex including: Brighton // Hove // Worthing // Eastbourne // Chichester Hassocks // Horsham // Lancing // Shoreham // Uckfield

Scan here to book or visit: albioninthecommunity.org.uk Albion in the Community, American Express Community Stadium, Village Way, Brighton BN1 9BL Tel: 01273 878265. 40 SEASON REVIEW 2021/22 Company limited by guarantee in England and Wales (No. 5122343). Registered charity in England and Wales (No. 1110978).