About Focus
Back in the summer of 2005 a number of Police officers were working in a particularly large estate in Poole, Dorset where Anti-Social behaviour had caused a number of residents concerns. Whilst carrying out policing of the area it became apparent that bridges need to be built between the Police and the younger population and more importantly for them to feel part of the communities in which they lived. Local officers challenged a group to a football match in return for the team to complete a community project. Thereby putting something back into the community. The community project was a success with a group of individuals cleaning and painting over their previous if somewhat dubious artwork and clearing of litter in the local hang out area, which was often avoided by local residents. The resulting football match was not favorable to the Police with them losing 4-2.
Police Sergeant Guy Nicholas felt that if the project were to be successful in one area then it would work at a number of areas within and around Poole. He was successful in obtaining a small grant from Poole Together Safe Partnership, which enabled him to send 10 Police officers on a FA Level One football-coaching course. Following the course the officers engaged with the local youngsters in Poole and eight teams would compete for the winter League of 2005/06.
Teams would receive regular coaching and monthly league nights in return for
completing community projects (this in effect was their subs for playing). A
number of community projects have taken place since, and a few of these are
shown on our gallery page.
Focus as stated is a multi-agency group and needed the help of Virginia Bailey,
Leisure Services, Colin Dutfield of Youth Services, Dominic Weir and Elspeth
Gregson of Nacro. They assisted in time, resources, equipment, staff, funding
and primarily enthusiasm. Focus staff consists of Police Officers, Police
Community Support officers, Youth Workers, Council Workers and Volunteers
wishing to make a difference.
Focus now currently
has over 20 active teams within their summer league 2008. Also during this
summer Focus had a very successful first ever beach soccer event in Sandbanks,
which attracted our highest numbers to date. Photos of this can been seen in our
Gallery pages. Over the last three years Focus has seen a number of players go
through the scheme and develop positively. Following their involvement within
the scheme there are a number of players who have successfully completed their
FA Level 1 coaching course and are actively engaged.
Focus is currently looking for a large sponsor, and as you surf around our website all this is down to an incredibly poor budget, if it were not for the hard work, enthusiasm and commitment of players and staff we would not of succeeded. We would also like to thank the individual sponsors shown on our front page for their support.