Football is an ideal activity to capture the imagination of the attendees and to encourage continued involvement in physical activities whilst also having a positive effect on emotional stress. Taking part in activities with MTGP has a significant impact on attendees leading to increases in fitness, health and wellbeing.
‘The stop-start nature of the game helps to build long term fitness and burn fat. It can help cut the risk of heart disease by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels and is also a good way to lose weight according to 50 researches in 7 countries. It affects numerous cardiovascular risk factors such as oxygen uptake, heart function, blood pressure and fat mass, far more than strength training and just as much and if not more than running.’
(Prof Peter Krustrup, Copenhagen University.)
When attendees initially arrive at MTGP, they regularly display very poor health and fitness levels combined with extremely low self esteem and have poor or low life goals. Following regular attendance at MTGP, attendees report and display substantial increases to their fitness, health and wellbeing levels.
Attendees refrain from consuming alcohol and/or drugs in order to perform at a better level whilst at MTGP and its associated Community Leagues where they play against rival gang areas.
Coaches support attendees to develop a greater understanding of the link between diet and fitness and their ability to increase health and wellbeing levels.
The costs related to joining gyms and clubs, combined with gang related territoriality issues are significant barriers to participation in normal healthy activities to attendees.
Additional funding supports MTGP’s Community Leagues with all costs, including travel, to be provided free of charge.
The Community Leagues are seen as a ‘safe and credible alternative’ (despite multi-gang participation) and facilitates continued advice, support and mentoring by MTGP coaches combined with the ability to help increase health and wellbeing levels long after MTGP has left an area.
Through the assistance of partners, MTGP has been able to provide free passes to South Lanarkshire’s leisure facilities for an 8 week period which has resulted in individuals attending for up to 4 times per week.
Many attendees have gone onto join local football clubs or to play at junior and professional levels, with one attendee playing in the Scottish Junior Cup Final. An attendee also played professionally in Canada and Australia.
2 sisters who underwent extended coaching by MTGP, now play professionally for Scotland’s leading ladies club, Glasgow City, and have played at European level in the Champions League and represented their country
An attendee became the youngest professional footballer in Scotland, to play first team football at 14 years and 199 days. He now plays professionally for Wolves in the English Championship.
Attendees have also gone onto other non-football related activities/clubs such as badminton, basketball, rugby, skiing, rock climbing, photography and drama.
Moving The Goalposts 