‘Sports academies are providing our students with hope for a brighter future’

VITAL: James Earl believes sport has never been more important in cities like Hull

James Earl is the Football Association’s academies manager, leading the strategy on programmes outside of the professional game, aligned to college education. Previously, he was director of sport at Bishop Burton College. He outlines the vital role sport has to play in Hull and the region

During the industrial revolution, sport became a tool to unite communities especially in working class cities. 

As large conurbations grew and industry-reliant towns thrived, the many sporting giants hundreds of millions of people support today were born and became established, household names. 

They became the weekend reward after grafting in mines, shipyards, mills, factories, ports and more. Despite some sports becoming multi-billion bound industries – football in particular - today, in many ways, some of these iconic sporting names represent their home communities even today. 

Take Hull as an example. A vital trading port and industrial town during the industrial growth, rugby league and football played key roles in the city. The first ‘Hull Derby’ took place in September, 1899 and Hull City, formed in 1904, were one of only two teams permitted to play on Christmas Day due to the importance of the fish trade.

Fast forward to today. Many industrial towns and cities are home to some of the most deprived parts of the UK, yet sport still plays a vital role in these communities. In Hull, the football club and two rugby league sides, as well as the rugby union, ice hockey, basketball and thriving netball community offer not only a spectator outlet, but also opportunities for their communities to engage, remain active and reinvest in the footprint in which they lie – much like in the early days of these sports.

Hull over the last decade has seen its two professional rugby clubs revamp and develop their player development structures, otherwise known as academies. This term, however, has also allowed for sport to play a key role in engaging young people across the region to remain in education and positively make a difference to their development as people, as well as players. We seek to explore how sport can play a key role in deprived areas.

The city has long demanded to see it’s thriving grassroots sports activity to reflected in home grown professional player development. Much hard work under previous strategies failed to replicate the player production line as seen in Liverpool and Newcastle (in football) and Wigan and St Helens (in rugby league, yet Hull provided a similar population base, rooted in sport and grounded by working class roots, just like these other cities.

Hull FC and Hull City now reside at Bishop Burton College. A unique relationship between a specialist ‘land-based’ agricultural college and two of the biggest names in their respective sports. The relationship has allowed for cost effective access for these clubs to first class facilities developed by the college during the past decade. In turn, this is matched by the clubs’ investment in personnel and vision to demand the player development output seen by other clubs over the decades. The fruits of these partnerships is bearing fruits with – regardless of opinions about current senior team performances – home grown and developed talent representing these clubs. 

Not only this, rugby union and netball academies in the city are having similar impacts on talent development. Wyke College support the development of netballers in their relationship with Leeds Rhinos, while Bishop Burton are again leading the way in the development of rugby union players in partnership with Yorkshire Carnegie. 

However, beyond the crop of elite players, the concept of academies, especially linked to education, is providing opportunities for people right across the city (and in other regions across the UK) to engage in their sport, to develop in their sport and in the most glaring examples, to provide hope of a brighter and educated future. 

In my previous life at Leeds Metropolitan University, this was termed as students ‘rubbing shoulders with champions’ – the concept of students being able to sit by, be inspired by and access the same environments as the stars of today and tomorrow. 

In my current role with the Football Association, I see how academies are making a difference in some of the most demanding parts of our capital, where football is used as a tool to keep young people in education and away from the ever increasing and worrying spites of gang violence and knife crime. 

In Hull, academies across many of our educational institutions are allowing people access to first class coaching, games programmes and most importantly, the balance to do so while fulfilling their full-time education – a government legislation until 18.

Across the spectrum therefore, the partnership between our educational institutions, professional sport clubs and our communities is making a difference to the performance of our professional clubs but most importantly, are collectively playing a role in giving every young person within the city an opportunity – and in some cases, that bit of hope they need. 

Long may they continue to thrive. 

HOPE: James Earl says sport gives young people opportunities

Sport has forever prided itself on being able to make a difference to society, specifically by helping keep people fit and healthy. 

It has also been its own downfall, with those most likely not to engage in regular activity being put off by ‘sport’ or ‘gyms’. 

Today, sport and its partner stakeholders are working differently - but are you aware and how do you make those ‘first steps’?

Language has changed within Hull to reflect this. The previously named Humber Sports Partnership is now called Active Humber and they are working to improve the region’s 30% of people who do less than 30 minutes exercise per week. This is 5% above the national average. There are however many organisations to assist with that first step.

Like running, but do not like racing? Each Saturday at 9am in Hull, Beverley and the Humber Bridge sees the 5k Parkrun – a free open to all social running club. 

The award-winning fitmums and friends similarly offer walking and running activities across the region. 

Physical activity is described as the best medication free to the NHS to tackle obesity, heart disease and much more. 

To find out more about why and how you could make that first step – think beyond your local gym if that’s not for you. Visit www.activehumber.co.uk to find our more.