Foundation supports Junior Football Leader Awards

The Aston Villa Foundation’s Everybody’s Game project is supporting young people in achieving the Junior Football Leader Award, with support from Islamic Relief UK. Provided through the Black Country Coaches Club, 100 CIMPSA-recognised qualifications will be delivered to young people and young adults aged 13-18 years old across the 2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons. Young people on the course will be introduced to basic elements of coaching, including session planning, design and good practices when setting up a session as well as tools and techniques to develop teamwork, communication and leadership skills. Participants were recruited for the course through local grassroots clubs and community organisations we work with as part of the Everybody’s Game initiative. Everybody’s Game is designed to bring more inclusive opportunities for British South Asian communities and Women and Girls to get involved across mainstream football, either as players, volunteers, coaches or referees. The initiative is funded by the Premier League, the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) and Islamic Relief. Arwa Kawan, Community Fundraising Officer at Islamic Relief, said: “We’re incredibly proud to support the Junior Football Leader Award, empowering 24 young people to take their first steps into coaching. “This qualification, recognised by CIMSPA, not only builds essential leadership skills but also strengthens grassroots football by inspiring the next generation with diverse backgrounds to give back to their local clubs and communities. We look forward to celebrating their achievements at Villa Park next year.” Four young people who have recently completed the award, Elena, Grace, Madison and Kaitlyn, were invited to a celebration event at Villa Park, to receive their certificates from Football Development Coordinator, Wai Wan. When asked to share their experiences of their time on the course with one another, Madison said: “The one thing I have learnt from this experience is to be resilient. Learning to coach takes time, and have patience with those you are coaching, but also yourself.” Grace added: “If I was to give advice to someone who wants to do the Junior Football Leaders Award, I would say to have confidence. I was initially scared when approaching grassroots clubs to complete my award, but it has been an amazing experience.” The Women and Girls division of Everybody’s Game recently held a 6v6 tournament as part of Women’s History Month, with Aston Villa Women’s Sabrina D’Angelo joining our participants to support the event, engage with the ladies and present the winners with medals, whilst also inspiring each person with her experience in professional football. Everybody's Game Find out more