The tournament is organised
by the whole YSG staff team
with young volunteers, all
united with the aim to see
our community enjoy a
festival of football.
Special thanks must go to all
the players, parents,
supporters, coaches and
everyone in the background
that ensured that this Cup
was a success.
Thank you from all at YSG.
This year we dedicated our
6-a-side Football tournament
(Louise Da-Cocodia Cup) in
memory of those cruelly lost
in the Manchester Arena
attack.
We pride ourselves on this
tournament being one of the
best of its kind for
community cohesion. The
tournament itself took place
at the Whalley Range Power
League, bringing young
people from Manchester and
even beyond together. 15
teams entered, including
those from as far afield as
Preston. Other young
people entered representing
Gorton, Wythenshaw,
Withington, Cheetham Hill,
Moss Side and Fallowfield
with their own team names
such as Fletcher Moss and
CUKI Lions.
Over 35 matches were
played on 3 pitches with
over 200 young players
competing for the trophy.
Awards for best player, best
goalkeeper and top scorer
were also handed out.
The Champions of the
Louise Da-Cocodia 6-a-side
football tournament were
SFC Manchester, with CUKI
the runners up. Well done
to both teams who put on a
brilliant final and
congratulations to SFC the
YSG Louise Louise Da-
Cocodia Champions 2017.
Once again our tournament
was one to remember, with
young people from all over
Manchester competing. 10
teams battled it out to win
the Memorial Champion’s
cup and all competed for
individual medals.
Congratulation to our
winners:
Hassan Mohamed - had an
amazing scoring record in the
tournament achieving Top
Goal Scorer.
Hsissen Chelbi - fantastic all
around young player well
deserving of Best Player
Award.
Ali Salim – with outstanding
saves throughout the
tournament. Best Goalkeeper
Award.
Future City squad - went
unbeaten throughout the
tournament. The final game
saw them down 1-0 and they
fought back and won the
game 3-2. Cup Winners.
Our Memorial tournament
commemorates the
Srebrenica genocide, the
greatest atrocity in Europe
since the WW2.
Thank you to our sponsor
Gelato Desserto for
awarding desert vouchers to
all the winners.
In memory of the Manchester Arena 22 I N S I D E
T H I S
I S S U E :
Community
Funday
2
Womens
Project
3
Financial
Times article
4
Black
History
Month
5
Youth Buzz
Awards
6
Big Iftaar 7
Incredible 8-3-7-2 Memorial tournament
Community on Solid Ground
ENHANCING THE LIVES OF YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH THE POWER OF SPORTS,
YOUTH WORK AND MENTORING PROGRAMMES
W I N T E R 2 0 1 7
P A G E 2
Lots of
inflatable fun!
Summer Holidays at YSG
Sports Day Success
October Half Term & Funday Youth on Solid Ground
were pleased to host
another week of fantastic
Half Term provision for
the local community in
partnership with
Manchester City Council.
Throughout the week
there were jam-packed
morning sessions with
activities such as; arts and
craft; traditional board
games; group games; x-box
tournament and indoor
and outdoor sports.
Every afternoon, Sports
Co-coordinators ran a
varied sports programme.
This included football,
dodgeball and athletics.
Mid-week we brought the
community together with
a well attended Funday,
together with a bouncy
castle, inflatable assault
course and snacks.
A special thank you to our
young volunteers who
helped make the
Playscheme and Funday a
success.
Our next Playscheme will
take place in February.
javelin throw and egg and
spoon race.
Medals were awarded to
the top three from each
race and every child was
awarded a prize for
taking part.
Youth on Solid Ground’s
annual sports day sprinted
off to a great start with a
cross country run around
Manley Park.
Young people took part in
lots of difference races
throughout the day,
including 100m run, tug-of-
war challenge, sack race,
Community Funday,
Sports Day and Sports
Camp taking place in the
afternoons. We were
blessed by good weather
throughout, which gave
children the chance to
have plenty of outdoor
play and make use of
Manley Park.
We also welcomed local
Police Officers who took
up the challenge of a
Police VS YSG tug of war.
Youth on Solid Ground’s
Summer Holiday
Playscheme and Sports
Camp continued to grow
in popularity this Summer
with a year on year
increase in attendance
figures.
Children were engaged in
varied activities
throughout the Summer
Break including a
C O M M U N I T Y O N S O L I D G R O U N D
Tug of war challenge
Getting active
Some of our medal winners
on the day
Sack race
Sports camp training
Launch of new Women’s Project
P A G E 3
Catherine Fuller, Youth Leader
said “This activity is a great way
to get young women and girls
involved in sport—as it is so
much fun, builds confidence and
people of any fitness level can
participate”.
Girls Group takes place every
Saturday, 3-5pm.
Youth on Solid Ground’s Girls
Group recently put their
trampolining skills to the test
at Jump Nation, an indoor
trampolining park in Trafford.
With wall to wall trampolines
as far as the eye can see, the
girls made the most of the
huge indoor trampoline park.
Girls Group get sporty!
Yoga classes start at MPPC
At Jump Nation
Art project commences YSG has partnered with
The Whitworth Art
Gallery’s young artists
to run a series of
workshops at our
Saturday Night Youth
Club. These sessions
aim to spark young
people’s interest in art,
a chance to try new
techniques and express
themselves creatively.
Women on Solid Ground
have launched their new
project, commencing in
September.
The project is entitled The
Big Fat Asian Wedding and
seeks to explore the
traditions and cultures of
weddings in South Asia.
This will also include how
these traditions travelled
to the UK and up to the
present day. To facilitate
this ladies will get involved
with crafts, visit wedding
fairs and be visited by
guest speakers.
The ultimate aim is that
participants will recapture,
recreate and retain these
traditions and give others
the chance to learn about
South Asian heritage.
The Big Fat Asian Wedding
project takes place every
Tuesday, 10am to 2.30pm
at Manley Park
Community Centre
on maintaining good health.
Contributions of £2 per
session are requested. The
sessions are women only and
those of all fitness levels are
welcome to attend.
Women’s only fitness sessions
have started at Manley Park
Community Centre, due to
support from the ‘This Girl
Can’ programme.
Each Monday,10am-12pm,
women are invited to
participate in a yoga class and
empower themselves with
informal workshops and talks
P A G E 4
YSG heads to Waterworld
Find us in the Financial Times!
Spirit of Manchester event Manchester Community
Central (MACC) and staff
from our Friday Night
Youth Club recently
worked in partnership to
host a celebratory event
for young people, as part
of the ongoing Spirit of
Manchester programme.
During the event there
was a DJ, performances by
young people, activities
and most importantly for a
good party- plenty of food
to go round!
Youth mentor, Akeim
Mundell said of the event;
“It was great hosting the
Spirit of Manchester event at
our youth club, which was
well attended by our young
people. Everyone there had a
great time with musical
entertainment and loads of
food and drinks!
Thanks to MACC for
considering us to host one of
their events. We’re already
looking forward to next
years!”
joined us at our Summer
Playscheme to speak to
young participants about
growing up in Manchester,
and their goals .
The girls expressed their
varied goals in the article,
to be a sports coach,
doctor and adventurer.
Youth on Solid Ground
were proud to feature in a
6 page spread in The
Financial Times’ ‘Girls Path
to Gender Equality’
magazine, released on the
occasion of International
Day of the Girl.
Journalist, Andy Bounds
local community.
Waqaas Zafar, YSG Sports
Co-ordinator said of the
outing: “All the young
people and staff had a fab
day in the water, racing
down the slides and generally
just chilling out!”
Before returning to
Manchester the day was
topped off with a delicious
meal. As you can imagine a
lot of fun was had by all.
This August, 40 Young
participants, volunteers
accompanied by our Youth
Workers were treated to
a trip to Water World.
This trip was intended as a
treat for their
commitment and positive
participation to a variety of
our projects. As well as
engagement in social
action within the
C O M M U N I T Y O N S O L I D G R O U N D
Activities in
Stoke-on-Trent
Girls from our Playscheme
gave their views
Enough for everyone!
YSG at the British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards
P A G E 5
YSG was proud to host a
‘Hip Hop and Human Rights’
workshop at our Saturday
Night Youth Club, in
honour of Black History
Month 2017.
Hip Hop artist Mohammed
Yahya performed some of
his own work and led
activities.
Recently we ran a educational
and creative workshop on
Armistice/Remembrance Day.
Girls learnt more about the
history behind the day,
conscientious objectors and
created visual responses.
Girls Group takes place every
Saturday, 3-5pm.
Our revamped Girls Group
continues to go from strength
to strength with a diverse
range of projects on offer.
This has included an arts and
crafts programme,
participation in sports, trips
and discussion of topical issues
through workshops and staff
interactions.
Girls Group update
Black History Month projects came together to enjoy
a meal and each others
company.
YSG once again hosted ‘The Big
Iftar’ celebrations at our
Saturday Night Youth Club.
However this year it took on a
deeper meaning for all involved
through partnership with ‘The
Great Get Together’ a series of
events in memory of the
murdered MP Jo Cox.
Young people from a variety of
backgrounds and different YSG
The Big Iftaar
YSG were honoured to send two representatives to the third annual British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards. A black tie event which took place on 18th March at Park Lane Hilton, London. The third Annual British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards were hosted by British comedian Sir Lenny Henry in Central London and were supported by Sport England, UK Sport,
the Football Association, the Tennis Foundation, Youth Sport Trust, England Athletics, the British Army, Mind and Spirit of 2012. Famous faces Sir Mo Farah and Kadeena Cox were named Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year respectively. Waqaas Zafar, YSG Sports Co-ordinator said of the event “It was a great privilege and inspiring for
Youth on Solid Ground to be amongst the biggest names in Sport and recognise the sporting achievements of the best athletes in the country”.
P A G E 6
Do you know a
young person that
you think deserves
to be nominated
for an award?
Consultation at the House of Parliament
Success at Youth Buzz Awards
Manchester United's Emerging Talent Programme
YSG was extremely proud
to be one of 5 top teams
from Greater Manchester
to be invited for the
Manchester United’s
Emerging Talent Football
programme at the famous
multi-million pound
Manchester United Aon
United Training Complex
in Carrington.
We took our under 12s
Fletcher Moss YSG players
who have been
outstanding throughout
the year to showcase their
ability and skills at the
highest level of grassroots
Football.
Hassan Salim, YSG Sports
Co-ordinator said: “The
Facility at the Aon United
training complex was
excellent and a great
opportunity for our players to
experience the feeling of a
Football star. This visit has
definitely boosted their
understanding of the hard
work they will need to do on
their day to day basis
working with the coaches to
reach their full potential.
award category after being
nominated by YSG for his
volunteering work with us.
Faraz said “I am very
grateful to be nominated by
YSG for this award. I enjoy
getting involved with the
organisation and would
volunteering to any young
person.”
YSG are celebrating the
success of our young
volunteer Faraz Chaudhri
at the Youth Buzz awards
which publicise the
positive work of young
people across Manchester.
Faraz achieved first runner
up in ‘Making A Change’
panel which included Max
Hill QC (Independent
Reviewer of Terrorism
Legislation) and Baroness
Warsi (Conservative Party)
on ‘The aftermath of the
terrorist attacks in London
and Manchester –
Perspectives from British
Muslim Communities’.
YSG’s representative at the
meeting and Youth Leader,
On 26th October
representatives from
Youth on Solid Ground
headed to London to take
part in a consultation at
the Houses of Parliament.
Chaired by Dominic
Grieve MP and organized
by Forward Thinking,
community groups had the
opportunity to put
forward their views to a
C O M M U N I T Y O N S O L I D G R O U N D
Catherine Fuller said:
“Being able to represent the
views of young people and our
community in Parliament was
a really positive experience.
I look forward to steps being
taken on the issues raised
moving forward, in particular
the Police response on
communities in the wake of
the Manchester Arena
attack”.
Consultation at the House of Parliament
Interfaith Football Tournament
P A G E 7
We at YSG were proud to
bring communities together
over a shared passion –an
interfaith football match
between the Manchester
Jewish Soccer League and
Muslim players from YSG
which took place on 23rd
November.
Congratulations to MJSL on a
hard fought victory, with the
deciding goal just before the
final whistle. The score at full
time MGSL 2-1 YSG.
Colin Bridgford, CEO of
Manchester FA commented
ahead of the match “Football is
for everyone and this Interfaith
Game to take place on the 23rd
November is a wonderful
opportunity to illustrate the role
football has in bringing
communities together.
I am looking forward to joining
everyone and enjoying the game”
Majid Dar, YSG Operations
Manager said “We at YSG are
all encouraged in bringing
communities together and
looking forward to inspiring all
involved to make this an annual
event”.
Russell Bernstein, MJSL
Secretary said he is “delighted
that this fixture has been
arranged and is looking forward
to the game becoming an annual
event in both communities
diary.”
A big thank you to our
partners, Tennis Foundation
and Sported for working with
us to provide opportunities to
the community.
YSG were delighted to be
offered tickets by our
partners Tennis Foundation
to attend Wimbledon. Staff
and volunteers got to
witness Venus Williams and
Andy Murray showcase
their unbelievable talent.
It was a day to remember
for the volunteers who
consistently dedicate their
time skills to our projects.
works, its language and how to
influence it. The ultimate goal
of the session being for young
people to be better able to
participate politically,
increasing their stake in
decisions made.
Former BBC journalists also
ran a workshop on media
literacy and communication.
CSG recently delivered a
Political and Media awareness
session in conjunction with
Forward Thinking, Model
Westminster and the
Parliamentary Outreach
Service.
These aim of the sessions was
to help young leaders
understand how government
Political Awareness Session
YSG heads to Wimbledon and youth club
provision.
Get in touch today to
find out more:
Want to share your
skill, ref a match or just
give back to the
community?
Why not join our pool
of Community on Solid
Ground volunteers, who
are involved in all sorts
of activities, from charity
fundraising, to sports
Participants engaged in discussion
We need you!
Community On Solid Ground
Address: Welsh Chapel
116B Egerton Road North
Whalley Range - Manchester
M16 0BZ
Phone: 0161 862 0955
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.yosg.org.uk
CURRENT PROJECTS
Monday
10am-12pm—This Girl Can Yoga - Manley Park Community Centre
1-4pm— General Drop in and Advice Surgery - Manley Park Community Centre
Tuesday
10am– 2.30pm —HLF Women’s Group—Big Fat Asian Wedding project - Manley Park Community Centre
Wednesday
10am-5pm—Drop in supporting young people with CVs education, employment and training - The Welsh Chapel
6pm-8pm—Football Leadership Sessions - Whalley Range Power League
Thursday
7-9pm Football leadership Project - Abraham Moss Leisure Centre
Friday
6.45-8.30pm Youth Club - Khizra community hall
6—8.30pm, Street Redz Project -Whalley Range Power League
6.30-8.30pm—Friday Night Youth Club - Manley Park community Centre
Weekend
3-5pm—Saturday Girls Group - Manley Park Community Centre
6-9pm—Saturday Night Youth Club - YSG Youth Club, 82 Cromwell Avenue, M16 0BG
1-3pm— Sundau Football coaching academy - Broughton Park, Chorlton, M21 7TL (on the astro turf)