Pictured above: John Gayle (left), former Birmingham City
player, joins Marcus Brain (second from left), chairman of Tyseley
and District Community Association, and Aidan Begley (second from
right), of Pertemps People Development Group, and two young
footballers to celebrate the PPDG donation to the football
academy
A football coaching academy, run by a Birmingham City soccer
legend, which helps to transform the lives of vulnerable youngsters
has received a £400 boost from generous workers.
John Gayle's football academy has been given a donation from
employees of employment and training experts Pertemps People
Development Group (PPDG).
The former Birmingham City striker set up the football academy
11 years ago with the help of funding from Birmingham City Council
and it now coaches more than 750 young people between the ages of
five and 27 in and around the Acocks Green area.
During this time thousands have passed through the academy,
transforming the lives of young people who have often been steered
away from anti-social behavior and crime.
Some of the players have been signed by professional and
non-league clubs and others have gone on to become coaches
themselves. With recent council cut-backs the academy has
struggled. However, PPDG's Aidan Begley believes it was a perfect
opportunity to give the football academy a boost.
He said: "When I read about John's academy I realized it shared
our values of developing individuals. I could also see how the
academy's work benefits the wider community and not just those
individuals. As a Blues fan, it's also refreshing to see an
ex-footballer who wants to give something back to the city where he
grew up."
John said he was delighted with the donation which would help
with running costs, in particular to purchase new footballs and
bibs.
He said: "I understand the need behind the cuts and would like
to thank Birmingham City Council for their financial support over
the years. It's vital that services such as these are available to
young people who often disengage with society and its not just
about playing football. As a trained mentor, we offer one to one
advice to youngsters; links back into education and encourage them
to become positive role models.
Tyseley and District Community Association (TDCA) is working
with John Gayle to help support the football academy and ensure its
good work continues.
Chairman Marcus Brain said: "The academy has been tremendous in
supporting vulnerable young people across Birmingham. We have
experienced a significant reduction in both levels of anti-social
behavior and crime thanks to the excellent work of John Gayle's and
his team."
PPDG delivers the Government's Welfare to Work strategy across
the Midlands through Flexible New Deal, Work Focused Training and
other employment initiatives. PPDG is using its vast experience of
helping long-term unemployed people get back into work to help
local jobseekers secure employment opportunities.
PPDG's team of employment experts provides advice on benefits,
confidence building, one-to-one support, CV and interview
preparation as well as finding the right job or training course. In
partnership with DWP, the Ministry of Justice and Jobcentre Plus,
PPDG delivers a diverse range of employment and training
initiatives including Flexible New Deal, Working Neighbourhoods
Fund, Learndirect and many ESF funded programmes. PPDG came fourth
in The Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For 2011.
For more information about Pertemps People Development Group,
please visit their website here: www.ppdg.co.uk