‘C’ (17)
‘C’ has been attending at MTGP for over 7 years. He was part of the main target group and despite his age was known in his community for all the wrong reasons.
‘C’ would attend every night when MTGP was in his area and formed a close bond with the coaches although on occasions, he could be a handful for the coaches when he misbehaved.
Despite his initial erratic behaviour, the coaches saw that ‘C’ needed support and mentoring and hoped with time that he could change his behaviour and direct his energies in a more positive manner to the benefit of his family and community. ‘C’ began to display the ability to interact in a positive manner with the younger attendees and this was encouraged by MTGP’s coaches.
He became very popular with the attendees and began to develop an ability to become a street coach. ‘C’ began to volunteer on a regular basis whilst being mentored by MTGP and went onto successfully achieve his SFA coaching qualification and first aid certificate.
His confidence and health and fitness levels increased with ‘C’ losing over 2 stone in weight. He has become a popular figure in his community and is now known locally as ‘coach’. His offending and alcohol consumption have been dramatically reduced and he is now in full time employment. He is now seen in a positive manner by parents and residents of his community who state they have witnessed a dramatic change in his behaviour.
‘C’ says….
‘I have been coming to Moving the Goalposts since I was 10. I’m the first to admit I wasn’t the best behaved in the group over the years but that hasn’t mattered to the coaches as they have helped me whenever they could, not just with advice but with making changes in my life.
I was always hanging around the streets getting in to trouble, fighting and being a general idiot. When I was 15, Tony (Head Coach) from Moving the Goalposts suggested that I volunteer to help him with the younger kids which at first I laughed at.
One night I gave him a hand with the younger ones and over the next few weeks I picked up a few skills from the coaches to help pass onto the kids. I was really enjoying it and over the following weeks the younger ones in my area were starting to call me coach even when I was in the shop. It was coach this, coach that.
I had to wait until I was 16 to gain my SFA Level 1.1 coaching qualification and I also went through my first aid certificate with the help of Moving the Goalposts.
I eventually got a job coaching for 6 months. I now play football with Larkhall United. I train twice a week and have lost two stones in weight since I was 15.
I am also in full time employment now, training to be a carpet fitter.
I know for sure that if I hadn’t got involved with MTGP I wouldn’t have gained the qualifications I have. I was definitely heading in the wrong direction. It hasn’t been easy but I owe a big thanks to all the coaches at MTGP as my life is now so much better. I am healthier, fitter and have more confidence with a better outlook on life. I now have a job and a future to look forward to.
Believe me before I got involved with MTGP, I was drinking, getting into fights and wouldn’t listen to anyone.
I would encourage anyone to go down when Moving the Goalposts is in your area as it can change your life,it has for me’.‘C’ (17)
Moving The Goalposts 