The tournament is organised

by the whole YSG staff team

with young volunteers, all

united with the aim to see

our community enjoy a

festival of football.

Special thanks must go to all

the players, parents,

supporters, coaches and

everyone in the background

that ensured that this Cup

was a success.

Thank you from all at YSG.

This year we dedicated our

6-a-side Football tournament

(Louise Da-Cocodia Cup) in

memory of those cruelly lost

in the Manchester Arena

attack.

We pride ourselves on this

tournament being one of the

best of its kind for

community cohesion. The

tournament itself took place

at the Whalley Range Power

League, bringing young

people from Manchester and

even beyond together. 15

teams entered, including

those from as far afield as

Preston. Other young

people entered representing

Gorton, Wythenshaw,

Withington, Cheetham Hill,

Moss Side and Fallowfield

with their own team names

such as Fletcher Moss and

CUKI Lions.

Over 35 matches were

played on 3 pitches with

over 200 young players

competing for the trophy.

Awards for best player, best

goalkeeper and top scorer

were also handed out.

The Champions of the

Louise Da-Cocodia 6-a-side

football tournament were

SFC Manchester, with CUKI

the runners up. Well done

to both teams who put on a

brilliant final and

congratulations to SFC the

YSG Louise Louise Da-

Cocodia Champions 2017.

Once again our tournament

was one to remember, with

young people from all over

Manchester competing. 10

teams battled it out to win

the Memorial Champion’s

cup and all competed for

individual medals.

Congratulation to our

winners:

Hassan Mohamed - had an

amazing scoring record in the

tournament achieving Top

Goal Scorer.

Hsissen Chelbi - fantastic all

around young player well

deserving of Best Player

Award.

Ali Salim – with outstanding

saves throughout the

tournament. Best Goalkeeper

Award.

Future City squad - went

unbeaten throughout the

tournament. The final game

saw them down 1-0 and they

fought back and won the

game 3-2. Cup Winners.

Our Memorial tournament

commemorates the

Srebrenica genocide, the

greatest atrocity in Europe

since the WW2.

Thank you to our sponsor

Gelato Desserto for

awarding desert vouchers to

all the winners.

In memory of the Manchester Arena 22 I N S I D E

T H I S

I S S U E :

Community

Funday

2

Womens

Project

3

Financial

Times article

4

Black

History

Month

5

Youth Buzz

Awards

6

Big Iftaar 7

Incredible 8-3-7-2 Memorial tournament

Community on Solid Ground

ENHANCING THE LIVES OF YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH THE POWER OF SPORTS,

YOUTH WORK AND MENTORING PROGRAMMES

W I N T E R 2 0 1 7

P A G E 2

Lots of

inflatable fun!

Summer Holidays at YSG

Sports Day Success

October Half Term & Funday Youth on Solid Ground

were pleased to host

another week of fantastic

Half Term provision for

the local community in

partnership with

Manchester City Council.

Throughout the week

there were jam-packed

morning sessions with

activities such as; arts and

craft; traditional board

games; group games; x-box

tournament and indoor

and outdoor sports.

Every afternoon, Sports

Co-coordinators ran a

varied sports programme.

This included football,

dodgeball and athletics.

Mid-week we brought the

community together with

a well attended Funday,

together with a bouncy

castle, inflatable assault

course and snacks.

A special thank you to our

young volunteers who

helped make the

Playscheme and Funday a

success.

Our next Playscheme will

take place in February.

javelin throw and egg and

spoon race.

Medals were awarded to

the top three from each

race and every child was

awarded a prize for

taking part.

Youth on Solid Ground’s

annual sports day sprinted

off to a great start with a

cross country run around

Manley Park.

Young people took part in

lots of difference races

throughout the day,

including 100m run, tug-of-

war challenge, sack race,

Community Funday,

Sports Day and Sports

Camp taking place in the

afternoons. We were

blessed by good weather

throughout, which gave

children the chance to

have plenty of outdoor

play and make use of

Manley Park.

We also welcomed local

Police Officers who took

up the challenge of a

Police VS YSG tug of war.

Youth on Solid Ground’s

Summer Holiday

Playscheme and Sports

Camp continued to grow

in popularity this Summer

with a year on year

increase in attendance

figures.

Children were engaged in

varied activities

throughout the Summer

Break including a

C O M M U N I T Y O N S O L I D G R O U N D

Tug of war challenge

Getting active

Some of our medal winners

on the day

Sack race

Sports camp training

Launch of new Women’s Project

P A G E 3

Catherine Fuller, Youth Leader

said “This activity is a great way

to get young women and girls

involved in sport—as it is so

much fun, builds confidence and

people of any fitness level can

participate”.

Girls Group takes place every

Saturday, 3-5pm.

Youth on Solid Ground’s Girls

Group recently put their

trampolining skills to the test

at Jump Nation, an indoor

trampolining park in Trafford.

With wall to wall trampolines

as far as the eye can see, the

girls made the most of the

huge indoor trampoline park.

Girls Group get sporty!

Yoga classes start at MPPC

At Jump Nation

Art project commences YSG has partnered with

The Whitworth Art

Gallery’s young artists

to run a series of

workshops at our

Saturday Night Youth

Club. These sessions

aim to spark young

people’s interest in art,

a chance to try new

techniques and express

themselves creatively.

Women on Solid Ground

have launched their new

project, commencing in

September.

The project is entitled The

Big Fat Asian Wedding and

seeks to explore the

traditions and cultures of

weddings in South Asia.

This will also include how

these traditions travelled

to the UK and up to the

present day. To facilitate

this ladies will get involved

with crafts, visit wedding

fairs and be visited by

guest speakers.

The ultimate aim is that

participants will recapture,

recreate and retain these

traditions and give others

the chance to learn about

South Asian heritage.

The Big Fat Asian Wedding

project takes place every

Tuesday, 10am to 2.30pm

at Manley Park

Community Centre

on maintaining good health.

Contributions of £2 per

session are requested. The

sessions are women only and

those of all fitness levels are

welcome to attend.

Women’s only fitness sessions

have started at Manley Park

Community Centre, due to

support from the ‘This Girl

Can’ programme.

Each Monday,10am-12pm,

women are invited to

participate in a yoga class and

empower themselves with

informal workshops and talks

P A G E 4

YSG heads to Waterworld

Find us in the Financial Times!

Spirit of Manchester event Manchester Community

Central (MACC) and staff

from our Friday Night

Youth Club recently

worked in partnership to

host a celebratory event

for young people, as part

of the ongoing Spirit of

Manchester programme.

During the event there

was a DJ, performances by

young people, activities

and most importantly for a

good party- plenty of food

to go round!

Youth mentor, Akeim

Mundell said of the event;

“It was great hosting the

Spirit of Manchester event at

our youth club, which was

well attended by our young

people. Everyone there had a

great time with musical

entertainment and loads of

food and drinks!

Thanks to MACC for

considering us to host one of

their events. We’re already

looking forward to next

years!”

joined us at our Summer

Playscheme to speak to

young participants about

growing up in Manchester,

and their goals .

The girls expressed their

varied goals in the article,

to be a sports coach,

doctor and adventurer.

Youth on Solid Ground

were proud to feature in a

6 page spread in The

Financial Times’ ‘Girls Path

to Gender Equality’

magazine, released on the

occasion of International

Day of the Girl.

Journalist, Andy Bounds

local community.

Waqaas Zafar, YSG Sports

Co-ordinator said of the

outing: “All the young

people and staff had a fab

day in the water, racing

down the slides and generally

just chilling out!”

Before returning to

Manchester the day was

topped off with a delicious

meal. As you can imagine a

lot of fun was had by all.

This August, 40 Young

participants, volunteers

accompanied by our Youth

Workers were treated to

a trip to Water World.

This trip was intended as a

treat for their

commitment and positive

participation to a variety of

our projects. As well as

engagement in social

action within the

C O M M U N I T Y O N S O L I D G R O U N D

Activities in

Stoke-on-Trent

Girls from our Playscheme

gave their views

Enough for everyone!

YSG at the British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards

P A G E 5

YSG was proud to host a

‘Hip Hop and Human Rights’

workshop at our Saturday

Night Youth Club, in

honour of Black History

Month 2017.

Hip Hop artist Mohammed

Yahya performed some of

his own work and led

activities.

Recently we ran a educational

and creative workshop on

Armistice/Remembrance Day.

Girls learnt more about the

history behind the day,

conscientious objectors and

created visual responses.

Girls Group takes place every

Saturday, 3-5pm.

Our revamped Girls Group

continues to go from strength

to strength with a diverse

range of projects on offer.

This has included an arts and

crafts programme,

participation in sports, trips

and discussion of topical issues

through workshops and staff

interactions.

Girls Group update

Black History Month projects came together to enjoy

a meal and each others

company.

YSG once again hosted ‘The Big

Iftar’ celebrations at our

Saturday Night Youth Club.

However this year it took on a

deeper meaning for all involved

through partnership with ‘The

Great Get Together’ a series of

events in memory of the

murdered MP Jo Cox.

Young people from a variety of

backgrounds and different YSG

The Big Iftaar

YSG were honoured to send two representatives to the third annual British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards. A black tie event which took place on 18th March at Park Lane Hilton, London. The third Annual British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards were hosted by British comedian Sir Lenny Henry in Central London and were supported by Sport England, UK Sport,

the Football Association, the Tennis Foundation, Youth Sport Trust, England Athletics, the British Army, Mind and Spirit of 2012. Famous faces Sir Mo Farah and Kadeena Cox were named Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year respectively. Waqaas Zafar, YSG Sports Co-ordinator said of the event “It was a great privilege and inspiring for

Youth on Solid Ground to be amongst the biggest names in Sport and recognise the sporting achievements of the best athletes in the country”.

P A G E 6

Do you know a

young person that

you think deserves

to be nominated

for an award?

Consultation at the House of Parliament

Success at Youth Buzz Awards

Manchester United's Emerging Talent Programme

YSG was extremely proud

to be one of 5 top teams

from Greater Manchester

to be invited for the

Manchester United’s

Emerging Talent Football

programme at the famous

multi-million pound

Manchester United Aon

United Training Complex

in Carrington.

We took our under 12s

Fletcher Moss YSG players

who have been

outstanding throughout

the year to showcase their

ability and skills at the

highest level of grassroots

Football.

Hassan Salim, YSG Sports

Co-ordinator said: “The

Facility at the Aon United

training complex was

excellent and a great

opportunity for our players to

experience the feeling of a

Football star. This visit has

definitely boosted their

understanding of the hard

work they will need to do on

their day to day basis

working with the coaches to

reach their full potential.

award category after being

nominated by YSG for his

volunteering work with us.

Faraz said “I am very

grateful to be nominated by

YSG for this award. I enjoy

getting involved with the

organisation and would

volunteering to any young

person.”

YSG are celebrating the

success of our young

volunteer Faraz Chaudhri

at the Youth Buzz awards

which publicise the

positive work of young

people across Manchester.

Faraz achieved first runner

up in ‘Making A Change’

panel which included Max

Hill QC (Independent

Reviewer of Terrorism

Legislation) and Baroness

Warsi (Conservative Party)

on ‘The aftermath of the

terrorist attacks in London

and Manchester –

Perspectives from British

Muslim Communities’.

YSG’s representative at the

meeting and Youth Leader,

On 26th October

representatives from

Youth on Solid Ground

headed to London to take

part in a consultation at

the Houses of Parliament.

Chaired by Dominic

Grieve MP and organized

by Forward Thinking,

community groups had the

opportunity to put

forward their views to a

C O M M U N I T Y O N S O L I D G R O U N D

Catherine Fuller said:

“Being able to represent the

views of young people and our

community in Parliament was

a really positive experience.

I look forward to steps being

taken on the issues raised

moving forward, in particular

the Police response on

communities in the wake of

the Manchester Arena

attack”.

Consultation at the House of Parliament

Interfaith Football Tournament

P A G E 7

We at YSG were proud to

bring communities together

over a shared passion –an

interfaith football match

between the Manchester

Jewish Soccer League and

Muslim players from YSG

which took place on 23rd

November.

Congratulations to MJSL on a

hard fought victory, with the

deciding goal just before the

final whistle. The score at full

time MGSL 2-1 YSG.

Colin Bridgford, CEO of

Manchester FA commented

ahead of the match “Football is

for everyone and this Interfaith

Game to take place on the 23rd

November is a wonderful

opportunity to illustrate the role

football has in bringing

communities together.

I am looking forward to joining

everyone and enjoying the game”

Majid Dar, YSG Operations

Manager said “We at YSG are

all encouraged in bringing

communities together and

looking forward to inspiring all

involved to make this an annual

event”.

Russell Bernstein, MJSL

Secretary said he is “delighted

that this fixture has been

arranged and is looking forward

to the game becoming an annual

event in both communities

diary.”

A big thank you to our

partners, Tennis Foundation

and Sported for working with

us to provide opportunities to

the community.

YSG were delighted to be

offered tickets by our

partners Tennis Foundation

to attend Wimbledon. Staff

and volunteers got to

witness Venus Williams and

Andy Murray showcase

their unbelievable talent.

It was a day to remember

for the volunteers who

consistently dedicate their

time skills to our projects.

works, its language and how to

influence it. The ultimate goal

of the session being for young

people to be better able to

participate politically,

increasing their stake in

decisions made.

Former BBC journalists also

ran a workshop on media

literacy and communication.

CSG recently delivered a

Political and Media awareness

session in conjunction with

Forward Thinking, Model

Westminster and the

Parliamentary Outreach

Service.

These aim of the sessions was

to help young leaders

understand how government

Political Awareness Session

YSG heads to Wimbledon and youth club

provision.

Get in touch today to

find out more:

admin@yosg.org.uk

Want to share your

skill, ref a match or just

give back to the

community?

Why not join our pool

of Community on Solid

Ground volunteers, who

are involved in all sorts

of activities, from charity

fundraising, to sports

Participants engaged in discussion

We need you!

Community On Solid Ground

Address: Welsh Chapel

116B Egerton Road North

Whalley Range - Manchester

M16 0BZ

Phone: 0161 862 0955

E-mail: admin@yosg.org.uk

Website: www.yosg.org.uk

CURRENT PROJECTS

Monday

10am-12pm—This Girl Can Yoga - Manley Park Community Centre

1-4pm— General Drop in and Advice Surgery - Manley Park Community Centre

Tuesday

10am– 2.30pm —HLF Women’s Group—Big Fat Asian Wedding project - Manley Park Community Centre

Wednesday

10am-5pm—Drop in supporting young people with CVs education, employment and training - The Welsh Chapel

6pm-8pm—Football Leadership Sessions - Whalley Range Power League

Thursday

7-9pm Football leadership Project - Abraham Moss Leisure Centre

Friday

6.45-8.30pm Youth Club - Khizra community hall

6—8.30pm, Street Redz Project -Whalley Range Power League

6.30-8.30pm—Friday Night Youth Club - Manley Park community Centre

Weekend

3-5pm—Saturday Girls Group - Manley Park Community Centre

6-9pm—Saturday Night Youth Club - YSG Youth Club, 82 Cromwell Avenue, M16 0BG

1-3pm— Sundau Football coaching academy - Broughton Park, Chorlton, M21 7TL (on the astro turf)