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Oldham Athletic Community Trust

At Oldham Athletic Community Trust, we run numerous community based projects across the town of Oldham.

To find out more about our projects, check out the information below by opening the drop boxes to read more. 

Contact enquiries@oact.org.uk to find out more about all our community based projects.

OACT Community Projects

What is Premier League Kicks?
Premier League Kicks is a national programme funded by the Premier League, which looks to promote and provide young people with opportunities in areas with a high need, using sport as a tool to drive this forward. To provide opportunities for young people to develop their skills and confidence and support young people to progress into positive pathways.

The Oldham Athletic Community Trust will look to do this throughout the borough of Oldham through FREE sessions open to anyone aged 8 to 16.

Who is it for?
Anybody between the ages 8-16.

OACT Promise:

  • Use sport as a tool to create safe and inclusive environments to engage the youth.
  • Provide opportunities to represent Oldham at competitions.
  • Provide opportunities for participants to become volunteer workers, leading to coaching badges and qualifications, and potential paid work.
  • Every session will have a safe and inclusive environment for the different activities.
  • Provide pathways for participants to join local community clubs/ teams.

Our Sessions:

To find our more about our sessions, email enquiries@oact.org.uk.

See some of our session highlights below and what PLKicks means to our community. 

 

 

On Tuesday evenings, we run a women’s Just Play football session at The Honeywell Centre.

This session allows women to participate in physical activity for free in a safe and secure environment with other women.

We run this in partnership with Active Through Football Oldham.

Recently back in the summer of 2023, the session won the Manchester FA Grassroots Lionesses Award recognising the hard work and importance of the session for womens football within Greater Manchester

This is advertised as a Just Play session, it is simply a football wellbeing session for any woman regardless of ability. Our sessions are fun, lively and welcoming and are brilliant for anyone who is interested in playing football in an environment free of judgement.

Women’s Just Play Football takes place every Tuesday 7-8pm at Honeywell Centre, OL8 3BP, Oldham.

 

 

Oldham Athletic Supporters Foundation are delighted to announce a partnership with Oldham Athletic Community Trust, which will see the launch of a brand new mens over 30s just play session.

The just play session will provide a free weekly football session, aimed at men over the aged of 30, with the aim of increasing social interaction & physical wellbeing. Sessions will take place at Broadfield Primary School Goddard Street Oldham OL8 1LH, and will be held 7pm to 8pm on Thursday evenings. .

Martin Vose, OACT Head of Community, commented: “I am delighted to be working alongside both the Oldham Athletic Supporters Foundation & Active Through Football to launch this new project.

As a Community Trust we are keen to ensure that engagement opportunities are available for everyone within our local community and this new partnership helps us further ensure that we meet this aim.

We are conscious of the cost of living crisis that we are all currently experiencing and as such we wanted to remove as many barriers for people to participate as possible. I`d like to therefore thank West Oldham Trust for their support of the project, without this we couldn’t offer the opportunity for free.

Mick Harwood, OASF director said; "This is a fantastic example of local community groups supporting each other. Although absolutely open to any over 30's bloke looking to have a kickabout and develop new  friendships, Oldham Athletic Supporters Foundation are also looking forward to meeting other fans from our Latics family"

Sessions will be led by an FA Level 2 Coach, but the emphasis will be on having fun and all abilities are more than welcome to join in.

To register an interest contact mick.harwood@oasf.co.uk 

Oldham Athletic Supporters Foundation are delighted to extend their partnership with Oldham Athletic Community Trust, which will see the launch of a brand new over 30s Walking Football “Just Play” session.

The just play session will provide a free weekly football session with the aim of increasing social interaction & physical wellbeing and will be open to both men & women over the age of 18. Sessions will take place at Broadfield Primary School, Goddard Street, Oldham, OL8 1LH and will be held 5:45pm to 6:45pm on Thursday evenings. 

To register your interest, contact: mick.harwood@oasf.co.uk 

Martin Vose, OACT Head of Community, commented: “I am delighted to further strengthen our relationship with the Oldham Athletic Supporters Foundation to launch this new project. The walking football session is ideal for anyone looking to back into physical activity following an injury, ill health or simply looking for a different way to keep active but with that competitive element. The session will follow on from a similar theme of both our Womens & Mens over 30s just play session, it`ll simply be a case of turning up and getting a game started.

As a Community Trust we are keen to ensure that engagement opportunities are available for everyone within our local community and this new partnership helps us further ensure that we meet this aim.

We are conscious of the cost of living crisis that we are all currently experiencing and as such we wanted to remove as many barriers for people to participate as possible. I`d like to therefore thank West Oldham Trust for their support of the project, without this we couldn’t offer the opportunity for free.

Mick Harwood, OASF director said; Oldham Athletic Supporters Foundation's collaboration with our friends at OACT has resulted in a very successful and well attended Over 30's session on Thursday evenings. I am really looking forward to even greater participation with our newest sessions. Walking Football is one of the country's fastest growing sports, and is accessible to players of all age groups (our sessions are 18+), and I'm looking forward to sharing the pitch with other like minded people."

'Sessions will be led by an FA Level 2 Coach, but the emphasis will be on having fun and all abilities are more than welcome to join in!'

To register your interest, contact: mick.harwood@oasf.co.uk 

Oldham Athletic Community Trust are excited to announce a brand-new project to our community delivery calendar, with the Community 8s and Community 11s soon to commence in September 2023.

The OACT Community 8s and Community 11s initiative will work alongside & compliment any current grassroot commitments and aims to provide aspiring local footballers with the opportunity to participate in an additional training session, no matter what the previous playing experience or ability.

All sessions will be player focussed sessions as we look to develop children’s fundamental skills to create confident players who play with freedom and creativity.

Holly Espie, OACT Community Engagement Manager, commented: “The sessions will ensure that each child firstly enjoys their time spent with us each week but is also challenged in respect of their own individual ability level. We will look to develop and help each child learn new skills and develop skills they already have further.

We want to actively work with local clubs and do not wish to replace any current training, our sessions are strictly a weekly training opportunity and we won`t be playing in tournaments or leagues as a team.

Through our two new centres we want to provide opportunities for young children to follow their passion for playing football in a safe, supervised, and positive learning environment and I’d love to welcome anybody to attend.”

When: Thursday evenings 6-8pm

Where: The Oldham Academy North, Broadway, Oldham, OL2 5BF

Age Groups: U8s (6 to 8 years old) 6-7pm. U11s (9 to 11 years old) 7-8pm.

Cost: £20 per month. Starting October 2023

“We strive to develop the person and player to be confident to master the ball, play with enjoyment and have freedom and creativity”

September 2023 is completely free; payment will begin in October. There is a limited number of spaces so please act quick!

Starting on the 14th of September.

For further information, and how to sign up, please email: Holly.Espie@OACT.org.uk

Charity Spotlight aims to use Oldham Athletic matchdays and provide a platform for local charities to raise awareness & funds, with a wide range of additional opportunities available for chosen organisations.

Above are all the charities listed as part of the chairty spotlight initiaitve for the 2023/24 season.

As part of the event, charities will also receive:

- One dedicated matchday.

- Oldham Athletic players warming-up in charity t-shirt (provided by charity).

- Signed warm-up t-shirts to assist with the fundraising.

- PR of the matchday, including programme and website article.

- Fundraising opportunities on the day, including opportunity to speak in hospitality.

- To be included in the final home game of the season celebration event.

Martin Vose, OACT Head Of Community, commented:

“There are many, many amazing charities based within Oldham who on a daily basis support communities across the borough.

Through this initiative we want to celebrate this network whilst also raising awareness of some of the support that is out there & available should it be needed."

OACT are busier than ever on matchdays for the 2023/24 season! 

Check out the video above to see everything we do when Oldham Athletic play at home! 

Flag Bearers:

Are you the manager, coach, or parent of a local children’s football club? Are you a scout leader? Do you run another type of children’s group?

If so, this could be your chance to get involved!

As flag bearers, your team could be lining up to give the Oldham Athletic players a special guard of honour as they enter the Boundary Park pitch.

The cost to be a flagbearer is £20 per child, with a minimum of 8 children and a maximum of 12, aged between 6-12. Please note that all children will be required to wear their clubs team kit or uniform.

As part of the day you will receive:

  • Three match tickets per child for the Family Stand, in addition to two tickets for the teams manager.
  • The opportunity to welcome both teams onto the Boundary Park pitch pre-match.
  • A pitchside photograph of your team.

To book your place please email Callum.Irving@oact.org.uk.

Mascots:

Being a mascot is the ideal way for junior supporters to celebrate a special occasion or to experience an Oldham Athletic matchday in a unique manner.

The experience allows them to feel like a part of the First Team squad for the day and make memories that they will never forget. 

The package includes the chance to:

  • Meet players from the Oldham Athletic team in the tunnel/dug-out prior to the warm-up.
  • Meet your favourite Oldham Athletic player and receive a video message.
  • Receive a signed picture of your favourite Oldham Athletic player. 
  • Receive electronic images from your mascot experience.
  • Watch the matchday warm-up from pitch side.
  • Lead the players onto the pitch, which will be filmed pitch side. 
  • Official photo from the centre circle with the referee and team captains.
  • Matchday programme, which they will also be featured in. 
  • An Oldham Athletic medal and personalised signed FUT card.
  • Four complimentary tickets in OACT Family Stand (These CANNOT be changed to other stands). 
  • Loan of an Oldham Athletic home if required (availability dependant).

Mascot packages will be available for each home league game of the season. The price for the package is £65 per child, which includes booking fee for our booking system. Please note that children can only be a mascot for one game per season.

Mascot slots for the 2023/24 season are fully booked. To find out more email wendy.noble@oact.org.uk

After the success of our Soccer Schools over the past year, Oldham Athletic Community Trust are delighted to announce details of our October 2023 Soccer School which will be returning to Royton & Crompton E-Act Academy once again.

Sign up HERE

Soccer schools are a great way for children to spend their school holidays, providing the opportunity for them to develop their football and personal skills, make new friends and gain confidence in a safe and friendly environment. 

By attending Soccer School with Oldham Athletic Community Trust, you will get to meet some of the Oldham Athletic Players as well as Chaddy the Owl. Complimentary tickets to an Oldham Athletic Fixture will also be included when you book your place with us!

Check out some of the highlights from this Summer below.

The soccer school will run from Monday 23rd of October to Thursday 26th October for a 4 day soccer school.

There is a limit of 80 spaces per week, for children aged 6-12.

Venue: Royton & Crompton E-Act Academy, Blackshaw Lane, Oldham OL2 6NT

Age Group: 6-12 Years Old.

Price: £72 for 4 days

Time: 8:30 – 15:30.

Please note that children will need to bring a packed lunch as well as suitable clothing/footwear for indoor & outdoor activity (we recommend that shinpads are worn for participant safety). We also recommend that all children bring suncream to apply themselves as we expect hot weather most days. We ask that no food items containing nuts are included in packed lunches in case of allergies across the group.

To book onto our Soccer School, please click the link HERE to use our external booking website

If your child has a medical condition (e.g. diabetes, serious allergies, epilepsy etc.) that we need to be aware of then it is vital that you make us aware before the start of the Soccer School. The process of doing so is straightforward and is incorporated when booking your child’s place online via OSS in the personal information form that must be completed during the booking process. If your child also requires medication throughout the day, then we must also be made aware prior to your child’s first day on camp so that we can make arrangements where necessary. Emergency Contact details will also be required, which are again asked when completing the online booking. Additional Information, as well as requesting early or late drop off must be arranged via email by contacting enquiries@oact.org.uk.

Oldham Athletic Community Trust hold the rights to withdraw your place on the soccer school at anytime. Refund will only be issued at the discretion of Oldham Athletic Community Trust

Oldham Athletic Community Trust work in partnership with the Oldham Athletic Veterans & Armed Forces Supporters Group 

The group is a Military Veterans and Armed Forces supporters’ group at Oldham Athletic Football club reaching out to support Service Leavers and Servicing members of the Armed Forces.Founded by two RAF Veterans, the group offer respite, camaraderie and friendship amongst like-minded people within our immediate community and beyond.They recognise the contribution that Service personnel, reservists, veterans, the cadet movement, and military families make to our organisation, our community and to the country.

• Communications, engagement, and outreach: Use of social media to reach out to support ourVeterans, Armed Forces and Families.

TwitterX: @HMVETERANSOAFC

Facebook: Oafc Veterans.

Email: oafcveteransandarmedforces@yahoo.com• OADID. Collaboration with The Disabled Supporters Association of Oldham Athletic to offer disability access to facilitate Disabled/injured Veterans to attend match days.• We will work closely with the community trust team at theclub and meet on a monthly basis to support and facilitate further opportunities for our Veterans and Armed Forces.• Veterans and Service Spouse and Families, Raising funds to offer engagement activities with the Football club including: Free Tickets for individuals and Families, Mascot packages for Children including free tickets for parents/ guardians• Royal British Legion. Members of our local RBL branch and will be working closely with them to support Military events throughout the year. Remembrance Day/ Poppy Appeal Day and Armed Forces Day Activities• Armed Forces Charities SSAFA. Supporting and raising awareness of SSAFA by actively involving them in events and activities. Meeting the Northwest Fundraising team to coordinate fundraising and awareness opportunities

Back to the Future

The Back to the Future project, is ran alongside and with Housing 21. Where we visit 4 venues once a Friday across each month for 90 minutes. The project will see the residents and public use Nintendo switches and other low level physical activity activities each week, such as darts. This is with the aim to increase physical activity across people aged 55 and over, as well as improving psychological and social wellbeing. Whilst helping tackle social isolation amongst the elderly.

The project visits the following venues:

Violet Hill

St Herbert Court

Cloughgate

Throstle

In addition to this the residents at the end of each  block of delivery get the opportunity to visits Boundary Park Stadium and watch an Oldham Athletic home game.

Feedback from the project so far:

“This is an exciting partnership for Housing 21, we are looking forward to working with Oldham Athletic on this project and can see the real positive benefits that physical activity and social interaction have on the wellbeing of residents living in the borough.

Issie Howard, Partnerships Manager at Housing 21 

"Tenants have said how much they have enjoyed the interaction. Would like this to carry on. Nice meeting new faces. One of my tenants has actually bought a Switch to help him with his stroke."

Karen – Cloughgate Manager

"For me it’s been fantastic to see the men in the scheme come together and have fun and chat. It’s hard to get the men involved in activities in the scheme, so for me this is a great success, thank you."

Joanne – Violet Hill Manager

For further information please contact:

Holly.espie@oact.org.uk

 

In May 2023 we begun our delivery within Buckley Hall Prison, delivering the Twinning Project to 11 participants over a 12 week period.

The participants will be completing the introduction to football qualification, and upon completion will gain the Introduction to Football Certificate (football level 1), which they can then use to better themselves for future aspirations and opportunities. The participants will develop theories and practices in the classroom then put them into practice and deliver them to the group.

This covers a variety of areas of the game such as:

Qualities, attributes and skills of a coach

Building and delivering football practices

England DNA – In possession, out of possession and transition

Developing practices, reviewing sessions and peer review

FA Four Corner model approach

Differentiation and supporting individuals

Linking match days and practices

Then upon release the participants will complete the FA Emergency Aid and FA Safeguarding here at Boundary Park.

For more information, email Holly.espie@oact.org.uk. 

The EFL and Smart Energy GB have agreed a two-year partnership extension which will see football supporters across England and Wales continue to receive help in understanding their energy spending, with OAFC and OACT joining to support the campaign.

Smart Energy GB teamed up with the EFL and EFL Trust in 2021 and has since held a series of engaging community focused activities showcasing the benefits smart meters can have for households.

With Football Clubs and their Club Community Organisations (CCOs) located in towns and cities across the country, the partnership provides a national platform with local reach to show fans how a smart meter and in-home display could help them better manage energy bills and household finances.

Smart meters are crucial to upgrading Britain’s energy system and by having them installed at home, football supporters will also play a key role in helping the transition to more environmentally friendly and sustainable energy sources, such as wind and solar. 

Find out how you can get a smart meter here

We recently visited the Crossley Centre in Chadderton to support those in need with advice on getting a smart meter. 

 

Ben Wright, the EFL’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: “EFL Clubs and CCOs support their communities seven days a week, 365 days of the year and with Smart Energy GB focused on helping to tackle fuel poverty and making energy savings all year round, this will help, especially those who have been impacted by the cost-of-living crisis.

“We are pleased to announce this extension so we can continue to help support the communities our Clubs serve.” 

 

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