"The SYFA have identified Pumpherston United FC as a club with a positive history of supporting youth players both on and off the field".
The above statement was included in correspondence sent to Pumpherston United regarding the introduction of the
Educated Pass Initiative.
Pumpherston are hounored to have been identified for such a great opportunity. Read on for more about the initiative.
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History and Background
Educated Pass - Football and Education Initiative
The initial idea grew out of a request in February 2004 by Ayr United Football Club Youth Manager to the University of Edinburgh. The request was to engage their youth squad players with education through their coaching programme at a one-off event. A change of management structure and personnel brought different priorities to Ayr United the following season. However, due to the success of the one-off event and with the underachievement of 13-16 year old boys in mind*, the inspiration behind the Football and Education Initiative had been established.
*Scottish Funding Council ‘Gender in Scottish Higher Education: what’s the issue? (July 2006)
http://www.sfc.ac.uk/publications/pubs_other.htm
Subsequent discussions took place between the University of Edinburgh and both the Scottish Football Association (SFA) and the Scottish Youth Football Association (SYFA). As a result a member of the University's Widening Participation team was invited to sit on the SFA Fit for Purpose Committee; while the SYFA granted their full support of the initiative and offered to provide Youth Football contact details, identifying specific local youth team coaches to approach.
In the summer of 2006 the University was successful in its application to the South East Forum in securing funding for an initial year; during which the football and education initiative would be fully developed. Following the appointment of a Widening Participation Officer in October 2006, the initiative was named Educated Pass, and work began on engaging local youth football teams as well as enlisting the support of partner educational institutes.
The project is innovative in that it does rely on working through schools, but instead targets boys - particularly those from under-represented groups - through their coaches and clubs and builds upon their commitment to sport to generate a similar interest and commitment to education. It will use sports related courses as a ‘hook’ but will also give generic advice on school, college and university pathways. As the lead partner of Educated Pass, the University of Edinburgh is supported by the educational institutes Stevenson College, Telford College and West Lothian College.
The first fully funded year of the initiative built upon the pilot project; identifying good practice in similar existing initiatives (e.g. Manchester Metropolitan University), networking with other providers of sports related courses in the South East Forum, exploring further sponsorship/funding opportunities while engaging new clubs. In order to maximise the benefit of Educated Pass, the under 14 squads of the local youth football clubs are specifically targeted. The work of Educated Pass therefore deliberately coincides with the Standard Grade selection level of the boys in this age group.
In January 2008, Educated Pass was granted a further 3 years funding by the Sutton Trust. This funding was approved based on the success of the first full year of the initiative; during which, 5 clubs comprising of 10 squads and over 150 boys actively engaged in a series of sessions throughout the season. The Sutton Trust funding will contribute to the further development of this robust and innovative football and education initiative.
For more information on the content of the initiative sessions please see Educated Pass Activities