Skillsactive| recently took a look at the valuable contribution that Foundation Teacher Danielle Richards makes to local schoolchildren.
Having played for QPR ladies, coached in America and starred in the hit film ‘Bend it Like Beckham’, Danielle Richards is a great role model for girls interested in getting involved in football.
Danielle started working with Fulham Football Club Foundation 18 months ago and as a qualified English teacher has helped engage and educate students in local schools, by delivering football themed lessons to help improve their learning, literacy and numeracy skills.
A big part of her lessons are emphasising the opportunities that are available within football, not just through playing and not just for men. Much to the surprise of many of the schools, female students have embraced Danielle’s approach to football as they are able to see the game from a less traditional perspective, and benefit from a different learning experience. This is also testament to the positive work carried out locally, by the Fulham Football Club Foundation in areas of Education and Enterprise.
With the treat of having a one-hour coaching session each week, boys and girls get the opportunity to master the basic skills of the game and gain the benefit from coaches who are passionate about the sport at grassroots level. Hopefully, these experiences will remain with these young people and show girls in particular that they too can enjoy the game and aspire to be football players and coaches.
It is not just through football that Danielle and Fulham FC Foundation attempts to engage young people. 'Aspire 2 Move' for example is a project aimed at engaging young girls between 14-25 years old through a variety of sports including trampolining, dance, cheerleading, gymnastics, basketball and many more. By providing girl only sessions, issues such as lack of confidence and self-esteem can be challenged and improved.
One of the main strengths of the Fulham Football Club Foundation is their ability to use their brand image and the talent of their staff to help inspire young people to get involved in positive activity and to build better lives through sport. Talent is personified through full-time staff members Donnique Sinclair-Chambers and Jen Emeny. Both women have played football at the very highest level; Donnique having played in the FA Cup final for Charlton, and Jen who currently plays for Brentford.
Another exciting element to the Fulham FC Foundation story is that England’s Women’s number one goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain has also worked with the club, helping them to deliver community coaching in the close season. Donnique, Jen and Siobhan are constant reminders to the opportunities that lie within Women’s football.