On Sunday, our Community Foundation’s college team were presented with the trophy for winning the South East region CEFA league at the Championship play-off final at Wembley.
CEFA (Community and Education Football Alliance League) is a football competition run for Club Community Organisations and is eligible to both young men and women who are enrolled on a post-16 education course with their Club, offering students competitive playing opportunities in a league that is professionally governed by the EFL.
Southend overcame the likes of Fulham, Norwich, Brentford and Luton to claim the tightly-fought contest. The end of the season was the deciding factor, as Blues went on a nine-game winning run, including a 4-1 victory away at Swindon and a 5-1 win at home to Brentford to ensure all the points were on the board and the celebrations could commence.
Alex Clark, Head of Coaching for Southend United Community Foundation, said: “The players were fantastic all season, it’s been a long and tough campaign but the first moment I look back on as the deciding factors was when we took them away for a week on the National Citizen Service project back in October.
“The bonding and togetherness we got out of that set us up for the rest of the season. The other key moment was losing 2-1 away to Leyton Orient, as funny as it sounds, this was the defining moment in kickstarting our nine-game winning run which ultimately got us over the line”
Staff took 18 local students to the home of football to experience a day that will last long in their memories. They were treated to hospitality before the game in the prestigious Bobby Moore Lounge before being presented with the trophy alongside other professional clubs who were presented with their respective trophies. Finally they were taken pitchside for a ceremony at half-time.
Andy Edmunds, Head of Education at Southend United Community Foundation) said: “This is the reason Southend United Community Foundation exists, to use the power of football, the prestige of Southend United, and the access that being a professional football club gives us to engage, educate and progress young people.
“These key ingredients allow us to give opportunities and experiences to people that will enhance their life in a positive way – I think we can safely say that today all those factors came together – what a fantastic time everyone has had.
“The increased confidence and self esteem the learners have gained today is visible for all to see; roll on next season is all I can say!”
All the above factors contribute to what is a fantastic and unique educational experience for students looking to kickstart their career within the sport and leisure industry.
Our community foundation’s education department has continuously developed and grown since its conception back in 2013 and we are looking forward to the next chapter.
The Foundation is always proud to see young people maximise their potential and support them on their journeys as they look forward to an exciting future.
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