The Spartans Community Football Academy has made a lasting impression on the local community through its ‘Scoring a Goal for Inclusion’ initiative.

The scheme aims to help strengthen community cohesion and provide new opportunities for more people to participate in sport.

Young people attending the initiative have each had the opportunity to attend a block of sessions at the academy with the aim of becoming an inclusive club through increasing awareness of academy programmes and building the confidence of those taking part.

The programme started in April 2014 and runs weekly sessions where those attending have the opportunity to play football and take part in further activities within the café area. Impacts include:

- 4 young people now attending Spartans Academy regularly out-with weekly session
- 18 young people attending the new Thursday Spartans Club from 4 different ethnicities
- 1 new volunteer supporting the new Thursday club
- 8 young people attending weekly sessions in partnership with MCFB
- Increased awareness amongst parents with regards to opportunities within the academy
- 3 girls from ‘Scoring a Goal for Inclusion’ have now joined Spartans Girls U13s, U11s and U9

The academy also built on their relationship with Blackhall Mosque through offering a free trial of their Easter Programme to members of the mosque. This resulted in 12 young people attending the free trial with parents expressing their interest in attending future holiday programmes.