The Week of Action campaign aims to highlight the work of the 72 EFL Clubs and the Club Community Organisations, by showcasing activities taking place between players and members of the community.
Morecambe FC Community Sports is a registered charity which works alongside Morecambe Football Club and operates with its own board of trustees. They are part of the Football League Trust, and deliver work across five key themes of Education, Health, Sports Participation, Inclusion, and Disability.
The Week of Action here at Morecambe FC kicked off early with Community Day, which was a huge success and a great day had by all. READ MORE ABOUT THE DAY HERE
One of the core activities that is run throughout the year is the Soccer School, this takes place throughout the school holidays, and children can attend the sessions from Monday to Friday. Last week tied in with the Easter school holidays, and the local children that were involved had a visit from some of the first team players. Adam Phillips, Anthony O’Connor and Alfie McCalmont spent time in the hot seat, with a Q&A from the young players, and there was lots of disagreeing when favourite football teams got brought up. Toumani Diagouraga also joined them for a short Q&A and was officiating some of the afternoon matches for the different age groups.
One of the other sessions that takes place on a weekly basis is Walking Football. It is seen as a gentler game of football and is aimed at the older generation as well as those who are less physically fit but still want to play a game of five a side. Last week they were joined by first team goalkeepers Trevor Carson and Adam Smith, speaking on the day, Carson said, “Especially for the older generation, what they’ve been through the past couple of years with the pandemic, it must be great for them to get out to just interact and keep fit. They’re an example to a lot of other people, and I’d love to be running around like that when I’m 70 plus.”
‘Extra Time’ is another weekly activity which happens down at the Mazuma Stadium. It is aimed at the over 60s and provides a social setting for members of the community who may be more isolated and want to build their social circle. They can enjoy refreshments and board games whilst watching the first team training on the pitch, or they take a walk around the pitch.
Stuart Glover, who works with Community Sports, says the sessions are a success and it is a great way for members of the community to get out of the house and socialise.
“They’re always laughing joking, and the staff do a tremendous job with the sessions,” he said.
“You can see the positivity it has on the individual by the fact that they are turning up regularly and they always have a smile on their face.”
Morecambe Football Club and Community Sports deliver a range of activities for people across the district and work closely with elderly members of the community, schools, universities, residential care homes, the NHS, Lancashire Constabulary, and the Prince’s Trust. The EFL Week of Action provided an insight into what goes on throughout the community on a regular basis and was a great way to celebrate all the hard work.