Community Champions Coach Leicestershire Police Veterans

The officers were eager to impress on the same surfaces that Leicester City’s Premier League footballers train, despite the cold and windy conditions. 

However thanks to some expert warm-up and cool down sessions led by the volunteers, everyone was in perfect condition to perform. 

James Lowbridge, Community Cohesion Manager at LCFC Community Trust was delighted with the event, saying:“I am very proud of the young volunteers from the Community Champions programme. 

“There is a lot of tension and negative views from young people towards the Police in society, and it has been fantastic to see them empowered to volunteer and work alongside the Police and also to give back to their local communities. 

“The volunteers are from areas of high deprivation and some are well known to the Police, therefore to see them working alongside them in a positive and constructive manner, is very pleasing the see.” 

Mick King, LCFC Community Trust Director added:“This is a remarkable achievement for the young volunteers, which demonstrates their growing levels of confidence, and assertiveness. Taking responsibility for coaching senior police officers illustrates the growing levels of cohesion and trust between the young people and the police.” 

Inspector Steff Shellard has also shared her delight with the partnership work between the Trust and Leicestershire Police. 

Speaking about the Community Champions programme, she added: “Football can transcend different generations, build strong alliances and unite the unlikeliest of people. “Football is the common ground that can bring us together. Never a truer example is that of the partnership working alliance between Leicester City’s Community Trust and Leicestershire Police. 

“Through the Community Champions programme, we have engaged youngsters in ways we could only previously had hoped to do. Through a combination of both life and ball skills, we have built a solid foundation of mutual trust and respect with our participants, helping to steer them along the right path in life. 

“The volunteers lead by complete example, displaying a fantastic array of newly acquired skills. Not only did they do themselves proud, but they engaged in a way that also made us proud. Above all however, they did the community proud. All for the love of a ball.” 

The Police Community Champions programme is a joint funded initiative between Leicester City Football Club, Leicestershire Police and Samworth Brothers. 

Youngsters across the city are developed and up-skilled across eight cohorts to become ‘Community Champions’ in their local communities. 

For further information please contact James Lowbridge, on 0116 291 5290.