The new Imagine Your Goals programme, in partnership with the Premier League and Sport Relief, will use community footballing projects to tackle this last great taboo and encourage greater openness about mental health issues in the world of sport. Many clubs and initiatives have already been working hard to achieve this, and former England captain Tony Adams and The Sporting Chance Clinic have recognised three organisations from around the country for their work in supporting mental health issues in football. The Everton Foundation, North East London Foundation Trust/Air Football and Bucks Early Invention have all won Tony Adams Awards for outstanding work in the community and raising awareness about mental health. Adams, who made over 500 appearances for Arsenal, commented: "We've worked with The FA for several years in highlighting the need for awareness in mental health and I truly believe that sport and football can be a gateway or conduit in enabling people to strive for more in their own lives." For more information about Time to Change and to pledge to help end mental health prejudice, go to www.time-to-change.org.uk
For more information on the award winners go to www.TheFA.com
Aylesbury Academicals started off as a mental health football group playing 5-a-side football at a local college. The players however wanted to play more football and expand the core group of players. They developed a constitution and looked to develop a football league across Buckinghamshire. As part of this process, the group became a charitable organisation with the aim of involving vulnerable young adults in Buckinghamshire in football. Part of the aim was to assist players to progress into local teams if they wished in order to engage them in the wider community.
Aylesbury Academicals became part of the inaugural Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire inclusive league (BOBi league) which was set up with the assistance from the above regional football associations. In their first year of involvement Aylesbury Academicals subsequently achieved second place in the league. As a result of contacts made from the BOBi league and the hard work of the players, Aylesbury Academicals are in the process of setting up a Buckinghanshire summer league involving mental health services, homeless organisations, drug and alcohol services and local housing associations for young people.
Aylesbury Academicals are also organising the 4th football tournament for World Mental Health Day this October involving the aforementioned teams and hope to extend their record of having won the tournament on the previous three occasions.
Apart from developing the summer league, the team wishes to further develop its links with local teams and support players participating in coaching courses. One player has now successfully set up their own coaching business. The team also aims to become a chartered club and needs to raise its profile to enable it to obtain funding to continue to play twice a week in the Buckinghamshire area.
for more information contact steph.litten@berks-bucksfa.com