Joe Ledley soccer schools a huge success

Joe Ledley has hailed the success of recent summer soccer schools he held at Whitmore High.

The Joe Ledley Football Academy ran three four-day sessions over the holidays for children aged five to 12-years-old.

Jo Lewis, Business Manager for the Environmental Services and Housing department, played a key role in staging the sessions, while Carole Tyley, Managing Director of the Big Fresh Catering Company, and her team were also heavily involved.

Security had to attend at short notice to make sure facilities were opened and closed on time and Prevention and Partnership Manager Mark Davies provided funded.

The Council’s Sustainable Communities for Learning programme includes a commitment to provide top class educational facilities not only for school pupils but also the wider community.

With this in mind, the Joe Ledley academy was allowed to use the 4G sports pitch free of charge.

In return, they offered those taking part a discounted rate, while certain children who might not otherwise have been able to attend were sponsored by Big Fresh, the Council’s self-sustaining Local Authority Trading Company.

Big Fresh also provided a nutritious lunch and snacks, while football coaches gave talks on the importance of healthy eating.

Joe Ledley said: “I’d like to thank the Council for all its support in making our first summer such a huge success. We would do it again at the drop of a hat.

“The children had a really good time, learned about sports nutrition and, courtesy of Big Fresh, enjoyed healthy meals and snacks.

“We really enjoyed working with the Council, staff were helpful and accommodating and we look forward to working together again in the future.”

Supplying healthy meals for partner schools, Big Fresh also provides an outside catering service, operates a street food trailer and runs the Big Fresh Café on Penarth Pier.

All profits are returned to schools and the business itself as none of the directors are salaried and the Council, as the only shareholder, does not draw any money from the company.

Money has been used to improve the quality and variety of school meals, pay for football kits and also fund other projects such as an al fresco dining area at Barry Island Primary.

Carole Tyley said: “As the name suggests, our Sustainable Communities for Schools programme is designed not just to benefit school pupils, but also the wider community.
“The agreement with the Joe Ledley Football Academy is a perfect example of this aim being put into practice.“Sadly, many people are already experiencing food poverty and this problem will only intensify as the cost-of-living crisis continues.

“We offered all those attending the football sessions free nutritious food and snacks regardless of their personal circumstances and were also able to pay for some children’s places.

“It was a pleasure to work with Joe and his team and we would definitely be keen to do it again.”