TWO non-league football clubs in the Bradford area have joined forces with a leading children’s charity to give disadvantaged young people the chance to take part in sport.

The partnership with Action for Children also offers the parents of these children help and support with parenting skills and employment.

Bradford Park Avenue Community FC and Guiseley FC have teamed up with the charity, which runs six children’s centres across the district helping disadvantaged children, young people and families.

The ‘Parents on the Ball’ programme will also be introduced to teach participants new parenting skills and instil renewed confidence in those who are taking part.

Joe Mosley, director for community development at Bradford Park Avenue, said: “As a recently transformed and proud community owned football club, it is our mission to build strong partnerships with organisations like Action for Children.

“They share the same values and passion as we do to encourage and facilitate wider participation by both parents and their children in healthy sporting and physical activities.

“It is not always recognized how important it is for parents to participate along with their children in healthy physical activities.

“We are thrilled to be able to help deliver the unique Parents on the Ball programme at the club, reaching out to those under privileged families in our local community and to help make a real difference in their lives.”

John Egan, director of children’s services at Action for Children, said: “We believe that clubs like Bradford Park Avenue are very much at the heart of their community, contributing to the health, well-being and self-esteem of young people and parents in the town.

“We’re very proud to partner with the club to further our vision to improve the lives of young people and families.

“We look forward to developing this innovative partnership in the upcoming months.”

The charity has already developed links with other non-league clubs, including Gateshead, Barrow, Southport and Stockport County.

It also runs the Parents on the Ball programme with clubs including the Premier League’s Manchester City and Burnley.

Over the next few months, representatives from Action for Children will be meeting with Mr Mosley and Ben Stead from Bradford Park Avenue to plan a series of events linked with the partnership.

For more information about the charity, visit actionforchildren.org.uk.

People who are interested in getting involved with the project should contact Joe Mosley on joe.mosley@bpafc.com, or 07710 446485.

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