Stanmore Jafferys are presented with their FA Community Shield Grant

Stanmore Jafferys awarded £2,500 Community Shield Grant

Middlesex FA club, Stanmore Jaffery’s has become one of two clubs across the county to be awarded a £2,500 FA Community Shield Grant by The FA.

Middlesex FA club, Stanmore Jaffery’s has become one of two clubs across the county to be awarded a £2,500 FA Community Shield Grant by The FA. The club was officially presented with the funding by Middlesex FA representatives before their club training session at Harefield Academy last Sunday. 

About Stanmore Jaffery’s

A  Sh’ia Muslim community group that formed their football arm just two years ago, the Stanmore Jaffery’s have grown significantly over the past 12 months and now boast an impressive set-up featuring 300 boys and girls across 11 age groups.

They claimed national recognition in November 2017 when they were named winners of The FA ‘For All’ Award at the Asian Football Awards for their work within the community. More recently, the club has started running mental health sessions for members of their community and have partnered with a local food bank to run food drives for the homeless.

Funding

As part of the grant agreement, the club committed to using the funding to continue to engage with their community and attract new participants, provide players with competitive playing opportunities and continue to upskill their volunteer workforce.

After being awarded the grant, Stanmore Jaffery’s put 30 of their volunteers through the FA Level 1 in Coaching Football course with Middlesex FA.  85% of their coaches now have a minimum FA Level 1 in Coaching Football and all have FA Safeguarding and Emergency First Aid qualifications as well as in-date Criminal Records Checks.

Chairman, Mohammed Valjy commented:

“We really value the funding; it’s great to see the coaches go through the course and come back and apply their knowledge to the group.”

Under 12 Manager, Fuad Musa added:

“The course has been a real eye-opener. It was well organised, well run and I’ve been able to use what I’ve learned straight away. The boys have noticed the difference too – more ball work and less fitness which they think is great.”

Coaches at the club come from a variety of backgrounds and playing experiences with the youngest just 16 years of age and the oldest in his 50’s. One of those young coaches, Kumail Jaffer was lucky enough to take advantage of the funding and regularly makes the trip back from the University of Warwick where he is studying to coach his group of Under 12 boys.

“I really enjoyed the course. The way we were coaching the boys before was completely different to the work we’re doing now. I’m really looking forward to developing my coaching further in the future and taking my boys into a competitive league.”

Moving forward, the club hopes to join an affiliated league, continue their work within the community and apply for charter standard accreditation.

Middlesex FA Head of Participation and Development, Lynsey Edwards said:

‘We’re really pleased to award this grant to Stanmore Jaffery’s. The volunteers at the club work tirelessly to provide young people from their local community with opportunities to play football and it’s amazing to see how far they have come in such a short space of time. We hope this money will help them to continue to grow and take the club in the right direction.’

To find out more about the Stanmore Jafferys, check out their club website here: www.sjfa.org.uk.

For more information on the funding or coaching opportunities for your club, please contact Middlesex FA’s Head of Participation and Development, Lynsey Edwards at lynsey.edwards@middlesexfa.com.  

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