Birmingham, 28/06/2024 – The Heart of England Community Foundation, via the Inclusive Community Fund, proudly provided funding for the “Our Legacy and our Future for Arts and Sports Activities,” a groundbreaking initiative celebrating the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games within the African communities in Birmingham and the Black Country. This project aims to foster community spirit and enhance the skills of members of our communities, especially young people, through sports and arts activities.
Project Overview
The “Our Legacy and our Future for Arts and Sports Activities” project is designed to honour the legacy of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games by empowering the next generation with training and engagement opportunities in both sports and the arts. This initiative is structured around three core components:
- Train the Trainers
Seventeen young individuals will undergo training to become certified Sports Coaches in Football and Basketball, achieving Levels 2 and 3 qualifications. Additionally, nine young people will enhance their musical abilities, focusing on guitar, drums, and keyboard. These newly trained coaches and musicians will volunteer within our charity, passing on their skills to other young people, ensuring the sustainability of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games’ legacy.
- Community Events
To bring the community together and celebrate diversity, the project will host a series of family-friendly events:
Sports Events: Three family sports events featuring football tournaments with teams from various communities, netball tournaments, basketball and judo demonstration, and athletic competitions for young people and other sport activities for women. These family sports events will be delivered at the Black Patch Park (55 Woodburn Road, Smethwick, B66 2PU) on Sunday 30th June 2024; Saturday 27th
July 2024 and Sunday 25th August 2024.
Arts and Culture Events: Three events are dedicated to celebrating African culture and art:
The first will take place on Saturday 20th July 2024 at the CAP Centre (Windmill Lane, Smethwick, B66 3LX) and will feature an African Fabric Fashion Show and traditional music,
The second will deliver a concert on Saturday 3rd August 2024 at the Legacy Centre of
Excellence (144 Potters Lane, Birmingham, B6 4UU) where some band groups will
entertain the public with modern African music.
The third will offer a painting workshop and an exhibition of African artwork, with
another modern African music concert on Saturday 26th October 2024 at the CAP Centre.
- Ongoing Activities
Over the next eight months, the project will provide four ongoing weekly activities to engage and support the community:
Sports Activities: Regular sports sessions to promote physical health and teamwork.
Befriending Sessions: Social gatherings aimed at building friendships and community bonds.
Music Tuition: Continuous music lessons to nurture young talent.
Artworks: Art sessions to foster creativity and cultural expression.
About the Heart of England Community Foundation
The Heart of England Community Foundation is committed to supporting communities through targeted funding and initiatives that promote inclusivity and development. The Inclusive Community Fund aims to address disparities and create opportunities for all community members.
Jacques Matensi-kubanza, the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the AFSCS charity, would like to thank the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Heart of England Community Foundation for their support to bring communities together in celebrating the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games through the Inclusive Community Fund.
Contact Information
For more information about the “Our Legacy and our Future for Arts and Sports Activities” project, please
contact:
Jacques Matensi-kubanza,
Chair
African French Speaking Community Support (AFSCS)
84A High Street, Smethwick, B66 1AQ (Drop-In Centre)
enquiries@afscs.org.uk
Tel: 07743600034
