As another exciting football season gets underway, everyone at Marine in the Community (MITC) would like to wish Marine FC every success in the National League North. The club continues to make great strides both on and off the pitch, and we look forward to another memorable season for everyone connected with Marine.
The summer has been another incredibly busy and productive period for Marine in the Community. We continue to expand our services, strengthen our partnerships and create opportunities that make a genuine difference to local people of all ages.
One of the highlights of the summer was hosting Everton, Liverpool and Tranmere Rovers as part of our Four Clubs Project, delivered in partnership with Crimestoppers. The initiative uses football as a powerful tool to engage young people from across the Liverpool City Region. The project culminated in a festival at Marine FC, where children proudly represented their clubs while also taking part in workshops delivered by local professionals covering important topics such as knife crime, drugs and antisocial behaviour. The project continues to receive praise across the region and demonstrates how football can be used to educate, inspire and support young people beyond the game itself.
Building on this work, our Free Friday Football sessions have once again been a huge success throughout the summer. Delivered in partnership with Merseyside Police, the sessions have provided local boys and girls with free, structured coaching in a safe and positive environment. Attendance has regularly exceeded 30 young people each week, and we are delighted to continue the programme into the new season.
We are equally excited to launch our new Girls’ Youth Club this September. Open to girls aged 10–14, the club will take place every Monday from 4.00pm to 5.45pm at our Community Wellbeing Hub. The first 26 places will be completely free, offering girls a welcoming space to socialise, make friends and enjoy activities including arts and crafts, table tennis, snooker, board games, computer games, Just Dance and homework support. We hope this exciting new project will become an important part of our growing youth offer.
Another landmark achievement has been the arrival of our fully accessible 16-seat community minibus. Following months of fundraising and refurbishment, the vehicle is now available to support schools, charities and community organisations throughout Sefton. This project has been made possible thanks to the generosity of Age Concern, who donated the vehicle, DW Autocare for completing the refurbishment, Oriel Studios for the outstanding vehicle graphics, and Adam Yates, whose London Marathon fundraising provided the new seating. We are extremely grateful to everyone who helped make this project a reality.
Although some of our regular activities pause during the summer holidays, our Football Coaching Camp has continued to thrive. Led by Head Coach Sean O’Dochartaigh, alongside first-team player Leigh Whelan, the camp has provided young footballers with an excellent opportunity to develop their skills in a professional environment. There is still time to book onto the final week of tournaments through our website.
Away from football, Marine in the Community continues to grow its extensive programme of health, wellbeing and community activities. Our Community Choir continues to flourish, bringing people together through music and friendship, while our expanding programme of wellbeing classes, including Yoga, Pilates, Zumba Gold and Chair Exercise, is helping people of all ages improve their physical and mental health. Our Heritage Walking Group is also enjoying new adventures across the region, with the community minibus allowing members to visit a wider range of historic locations.
Our coaching programmes in local schools continue to expand, helping young people become more active while promoting teamwork, confidence and healthy lifestyles. Schools interested in working with Marine in the Community are encouraged to get in touch to discuss how we can support their pupils.
At the heart of everything we do is our Community Wellbeing Hub, which has become a vibrant centre for local people aged 5 to 95. Every week the Hub welcomes hundreds of residents through its wide range of activities, creating opportunities for people of different generations to learn, socialise and improve their wellbeing. Whether you are looking to join an activity, hire the venue for a meeting or training event, or simply find out more about our work, we would be delighted to welcome you.
We are also delighted to welcome Aaron Graham to the Marine in the Community team. Aaron first joined us on work experience two years ago and has impressed everyone with his commitment and enthusiasm. Following the completion of his A Levels, he has now begun a Level 4 Community and Professional Development Apprenticeship, where he will work alongside Head Coach Sean O’Dochartaigh to help develop our projects and support our continued growth.
Today, Marine in the Community supports more than 500 people every week, delivering projects that improve health, wellbeing, education and community cohesion. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our staff, volunteers, trustees, partners, sponsors and supporters, and we thank every one of them for their continued commitment.
If you would like to volunteer, take part in one of our activities, book the Community Wellbeing Hub, enquire about the community minibus or discuss sponsorship opportunities, we would love to hear from you. A particular thanks to our sponsors Radfield Home Care and Bennett Safetywear.
Together, we look forward to another exciting season—on the pitch and at the heart of our community.
Graeme Gardiner
Community Director