Jersey Wanderers Football Club (JWFC)

Impact Reach: 120+ youngsters across five teams, supported by 20 volunteer coaches during weekly training and for inter-club competitions. 

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LouLou Race Foundation supports JWFC’s Minis section, which offers community football opportunities to young footballers from the age of four to 10 (School Year 5). We’re supporting with coach development, football delivery, kit provision, an Inclusion Fund, and more.

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“We are so grateful for the support of the Smith family and look forward to an exciting partnership together with the LouLou Race Foundation! We are already busy planning behind the scenes for another busy season ahead as we look to increase the number of girls within our Minis section, upskill our coaches with football-specific learning, and deliver a community football festival to celebrate the end of another great season.” - Libby Barnett, Head of Football at JWFC

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JWFC’s Minis section is one of the most highly sought areas of the club as it is the foundation of this community football club and offers boys and girls a chance to transition through the club pathway into Junior and then Senior football. The funding provided by LouLou Race Foundation has supported the following:

• Coach Development: Supporting coaches through formal and informal upskilling opportunities to develop their coaching skills and knowledge, including receiving mentoring, mental health training and completing the FA’s accredited coaching qualifications. Coaches are suitably qualified to a minimum Level 1 FA qualification (Introduction to Coaching), which includes first aid training, safeguarding training and DBS police checks. The hope is that coaches can further their qualifications with the UEFA C Licence, online learning and attendance at FA coach-led upskilling opportunities.

• Football Delivery: Supporting the upkeep of the external all-weather facilities secured for all Minis teams to access weekly training opportunities, ensuring limited disruption to the season schedule. 

• Showcasing Talent: Sponsoring the JWFC End of Season Minis Festival at JW Park, which celebrates and showcases Jersey’s youngest footballers, and welcoming other local clubs to participate in a community day of football and friendship. 

• Accessibility: Delivering an Inclusion Fund that supports families who may have challenges accessing or affording local or overseas football opportunities. 

• Kit: Every child is provided with a playing shirt and half-zip training top to ensure they have an identity and feel part of the community club. Coaches are also required to wear kits, which makes them easily identifiable to players and parents, which aligns with our safeguarding promise and practices.

‍Partnership Support: The club develops partnerships with Jersey FA and FA player pathways for identified talented footballers. It also promotes talented players ‘playing up’ an age group.