HealtKicks, a new health initiative aimed at men aged 18 – 35, is kicking off in Thornhill from January 2009.

Thornhill Plus You, Southampton Football Club and Social Health Ltd have teamed up to give the men in Thornhill the opportunity to improve their football skills and train with professionals, thanks to funding from the Football Foundation, Thornhill Community Health Fund and Motiv8 Thornhill.

Southampton Football Club (SFC) will be working in Thornhill to develop adult male football in the community. The project will work with the existing local football teams as well as encouraging other young men who are not already part of a team to join in.

Each week there will three 1½ hour coached sessions lead by an SFC Community Coach. These sessions will alternate between working on ball skills, working on stamina and fitness and playing matches. The players will also have the opportunity to play match fixtures against other high profiled clubs.

As well as helping the players to improve their football skills and general fitness, Health Kicks will also address other areas of their health and wellbeing.

Health and employment information will be easily accessible at training and events. A project worker from Social Health Ltd will be working along side the SFC Community Coach to deliver information on a variety of health services, in partnership with the NHS Health Promotion Services.

Participants who want to take their football further will have the opportunity to train to Level 1 in Coaching; this will become a valuable resource in the Thornhill community for starting other adult and children’s teams.

Dan Haynes from Social Health Ltd commented, “Generally men between the ages of 18 and 35 find it difficult to engage in health and wellbeing activities, and often find it difficult to express their concerns about health issues. Health Kicks will offer a channel through which we can get important health and employment information out to those men who won’t necessarily go any where else to seek it.”

Mark Abrahams, Head of Saints in the Community commented, Southampton Football Club is looking forward to developing the partnership and supporting the good work currently taking place. The project very much supports the Club’s commitment to make a difference in the local community. There are a number of activities in Thornhill already working very well and we hope to compliment these and encourage a better understanding of health issues amongst men.”

“This is the first of project of its kind in the UK and the rest of the country will have its eyes on Thornhill with a view to starting up similar projects in other areas. It’s a great opportunity for Thornhill.”

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Health Kicks Update, January 2010

One year has passed since the Health Kicks project started and a lot has gone on. So, here is a brief catch up on everything that went on in 2009.

Health Kicks has taken on two local coaches Trevor Butler and Rob Bean and they have been using their coaching skills to put over 100 adult men through their paces. Sessions during the summer were held on Hinkler green on a Tuesday and Thursday evening and regularly had 25 to 30 participants playing football at any one time, The winter sessions are now being held at Woodlands School and is seeing a similar.

In February Health Kicks entered a team in to the Sure start Dad's 5 a side football tournament, held in Newtown. The purpose of the day was to create awareness around positive engagement between Fathers and their children and to show case what free child care is available for families. The team played some great football but failed to get passed the quarter final stages.

In April we put together a team of 20 participants from Health Kicks to play against Solent University. The team went and played at Trojans sports complex on Stoneham lane and lost 4-3 but played really well and were the early forming of Thornhill HK FC.

In June Health Kicks held its first Thornhill World Cup 6 a side tournament. 8 teams turned up at Thornhill Primary school to compete to become the best team in Thornhill. The day was a great success with lots of football fun, a BBQ, inflatable goal and 10 Health Services. The Winners on the day were a team called Brown who will hopefully be back this summer to defend their title.

In August Health Kicks set up a football team called Thornhill HK FC to merge with the existing Hinkler Inn side. The team play in the City of Southampton Junior 4 football league (follow the link to see the league table) full-time.thefa.com/ProcessPublicSelect.do

The team have roughly 30 players signed and play their home game at Oasis Academy Mayfield, The Grove, Southampton, SO19 9LX and during the winter all training has been on a Wednesday night 9pm-10pm held at Woodlands School, Harefield.

The team have been playing really well so far this season, see below for all the scores and match reports from this season.

In October and November Health Kicks entered and supported 5 Thornhill Health Kicks participants successfully through their Level 1 in Football Coaching, the 5 Level 1 coaches were presented their certificates at St. Mary's stadium during the Wycombe Wanderers league one tie. 2 of the Level one coaches also participated in the half time show, being allowed to go onto the pitch and take part in the crossbar challenge competition.

Trevor Butler has also been entered and supported through his level 2 in football coaching and should hopefully complete the qualification during 2010.

Receiving Certificates

In The Classroom

In December Health Kicks entered 2 teams in to the White Ribbon cup, held at Southampton sports centre. The event was to create awareness around Domestic violence, both teams reached the final and fought it out to be crowned champions and the Cup came back to Thornhill.

Off the field Health Kicks has been really successful and has engaged the men with a range of services. The men have received presentations from Working Links on employment opportunities, THAWP on healthy eating and stopping smoking, CDA on drugs and substance misuse, Hampton Trust on relationships and the NHS on Chlamydia screening and sexual health.

Another big success has been the introduction of MOT health checks from Active options. Active options have been to all events that Health Kicks has been involved with, including testing at the Hinkler pub, Thornhill festival and the Thornhill world cup, the MOT checks are simple health checks that you may go to your GP for but Health Kicks tries to offer the checks in an informal environment and will go to places where men feel relaxed and comfortable.

Health Kicks is looking to continue its progression during 2010 and will be putting on a Quiz night at the Hinkler pub on the 2nd February, 6pm-8.30pm. The event will offer free MOT health checks, Chlamydia screens and Quitters advice, the quiz is a sports quiz with tickets to a Saints game as the prize, and all participants’ will be entered into a free prize draw for a host of Saints goodies. There will also be a player appearance from one of Southampton FC's first team players!!!!!!!!!

For more information Contact Phil Hastings