DCCP - Background

The DCCP exists for the purpose of building and improving links between Derby County Football Club and the local community.

Community Forum 16 June 2004

As a result of a presentation by John Danks from the Learning and Skills Council, at a DCCP meeting with club staff and other representatives, a Community Forum was arranged and held in June 2004 at Pride Park Stadium involving a wide number of organisations.

The forum was held so that community aspirations could be understood, firmer links established, and ultimately, funded projects to be explored and developed to support the use of the facilities at DCFC by community groups.

Key points from presentations

1. John Danks, LSC

Key Points:
The LSC involvement in arranging the Forum was as follows:
John Kirkland, Chair of LSC, who had previous connections with DCFC prompted the initial contact.

LSC has 8 million government funding
ˇ To administer and fund post 16 training and development that is Government funded.
ˇ 14/19 learning increasingly involved.
LSC is a co-financer of European Social Fund.

Why is LSC interested in DCCP?
ˇ The importance/association of sport as a motivating factor for community groups.
e.g., Improve basic literacy of 80,000 people. a project/programme could be just the motivator.
ˇ Disaffected/drop outs from education may be attracted back by the club name.
ˇ LSC are looking for a wider contribution and ideas for the future. This is the beginning of what is hoped to be a longer successful relationship.

2. Roger Reade, Chief Executive, Football in the Community

Key points
ˇ The majority of clubs have no relationship/communications with local organizations.
ˇ The only constant in football are the fans and the community.

Football in the Community (FITC) began the work between football clubs and schools through coaching/holiday courses/skills development.

There are now new agendas arising - working in partnership in particular areas of common interest
ˇ Health
ˇ Education - study support
ˇ Inclusion
ˇ Social enterprise

Clubs don't have the resources and expertise - hence the development of partnerships which are new to Clubs and public/private sector initiatives.

Clubs can use their power to support initiatives driven by local community groups. There are several examples of Football Clubs looking at community accessible facilities.

Maybe each Football Club should adopt a mantra: Every City, Every Village, Every Street, Every Person

These developments indicate training needs - a community portfolio to support the development of the following:
ˇ Openness
ˇ Transparency
ˇ Better communications
ˇ Recognition of training
ˇ New ideas

Working in partnership

The comments made by speakers, and the returned comment sheets from the forum have become the focus of the aims and objectives of DCCP for the season 2004-5 and beyond.

Full Report Summary Presentation Forum Invite Letter

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