Learning New Skills for Life
ALUM ROCK
FOOTBALL ACADEMY
COACHES
Name:
Position/Role:
Occupation:
Supports:
Favourite Player:
Mohammed Shaffiq
Head Coach / Founder
Volunteer
Arsenal & Germany
Diego Maradonna
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Mr Shaffiq is the founder member of Alum Rock Football Academy who has a wealth of experience in grassroots football & also managed the senior Alum Rock FC team in the South Birmingham Premier Division, leading the team to success in both the league and cup.
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"As a member of this close knit community I want to help and guide young people to take part in sport and get fit, have fun and build a positive future.
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Living in a area where gang culture and drugs are rife, we want to help the local kids get away from that mind set and we want to use football. Our aim is to work with the local police and council to help us find opportunities for these children to engage with different social circles.
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I am happy to give up my time to be there for my community".
Name:
Position/Role:
Occupation:
Supports:
Favourite Player:
Mohammed Ziarab Yasin
Coach/Club Welfare Officer
Family Support Worker
Man City & Italy
Diego Maradonna
"I grew up locally, and have a youth work background. As one of the original players of the first generation of Alum Rock Football Club from the early 90's. I played in midfield and as a striker in a Sunday league.
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As a member of the community I want to help and guide young people to take part in football ,get fit, have fun and have a positive future .
I want to help young people make friends and raise their self esteem through taking part in our football academy.
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I am fully aware of the challenges faced by the youth in the area as this is what I deal with on a day-to-day basis in my career.
So it's refreshing to be involved in a project like this, where youngsters can express themselves in a safe / positive environment".
Name:
Position/Role:
Occupation:
Supports:
Favourite Player:
Mohammed Tafiq
Head of Operations/Coach
Football Coach
Liverpool
Ronaldo De-Lima
"I have grown up in Alum Rock and actually attended Rockwood Academy (formerly Park View) as my secondary school when i was younger I have a lot of history with the school and have a close alliance with the local children. For many years i wanted to be part of something which gave me a feeling of being involved and making a difference.
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I played for & captained Alum Rock FC for over 10 years enjoying every minute of it, it helped my self esteem and confidence and I wanted other younger people to feel the same.
I am fully Qualified Level 2 Football Coach and in time want to complete my 'UEFA B' License Coaching badges.
As a lead coach at the academy we had to overcome a lot of hurdles and difficult times to get settled and become established. but I never believe in giving up as when I saw the smiles on the children's faces when walking towards the pitch it makes all the hard work behind the scenes all worth while.
I personally believe that if we all pull in the same direction, we can help create a better neighbourhood and safer environment.
I have faith in using education through sport as a tool for all these young children to progress in life and become better people. Me and the rest of the coaching team care passionately about the local kids and really want help them to make a great start in life and realize their potential.
As a member of the community I want to help and guide young people to take
part in football, thrive in a safe environment and have a positive future".
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Name:
Position/Role:
Occupation:
Supports:
Favourite Player:
Sakib Ghulam
Coach / Secretary
Banking
Liverpool & Spain
Kenny Dalglish
"I was here when the academy was nothing more than an idea. Now, here we are today getting stronger and stronger as a community and as a Football Academy.
I run the 8-11's session weekly and really enjoy working with these amazing children. Most recently I was the head coach of our under 11's team which competed in the Sandwell Minor League last year. This was the first time some of these youngsters played in a competitive league. I grew up not far from here and train regularly at Rockwood Academy with the senior team.
I play in a "number 10" role myself scoring and creating plenty of goals. I work in the banking sector and enjoy my work.
As an active member of the community who has been involved in many projects previously, I want to help guide the younger generation to take part in sport, get fit, and make friends who will be a positive influence in their lives.
This coaching position has given me the chance to give something back to the community".
Name:
Position/Role:
Occupation:
Supports:
Favourite Player:
Majid Rehman
Coach / Public Relations
IT Project Manager
Whoever is the underdog!
Ronaldinho
"I grew up a stone's throw away from Rockwood Academy where we hold our sessions on the weekend so I am aware of the challenges our children face in this locality.
Having always had a passion for helping others, football is the perfect vehicle for me to help nurture the development of the children we look after.
I am always looking for opportunities to work with like-minded organisations to develop partnerships which will enhance our influence on the youth in our community with their best interests at heart.
We are constantly reminding the kids at our sessions of their responsibilities towards each other and the importance of education, health and maintaining relationships with people who have a positive impact in their lives and raising awareness of issues such as crime, drugs, bullying and gang culture which have ruined the lives of many children and young adults in the area in recent decades.
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Together we can make a difference!"
Name:
Position/Role:
Occupation:
Supports:
Favourite Player:
Asif Khan
Coach / Logistics
Pupil's Guide
Liverpool
Zinedine Zidane
Asif is the latest addition to our team and helps out with all the administration, insurances, children's registrations and is also heavily involved in planning a lot of our activities.
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"I have loved Football ever since I was a kid, I come from the 'Jumpers for goalposts' generation so I've seen football at grassroots develop over a couple of generations.
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I get to watch my sons play every week at the Academy as well as being someone who loves to help young people as this is also the career path I have chosen to take so I have the benefit of seeing things at the Academy through the eyes of a parent as well as someone who wants to see youngsters develop & flourish in my community
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Recently, I completed my Level 1 FA coaching badge along with the Mental Health First Aid course. The latter is more important than ever, particularly with the effects of the global pandemic on many peoples mental well-being".