NGO / FOUNDATION PROPOSAL: “YOUTH FOOTBALLERS UNITED”

ASSIST TOWARDS YOUTH EMPOWERMENT, SOCIAL CHANGE AND POVERTY REDUCTION IN SIERRA
LEONE THROUGH FOOTBALL, EDUCATION & PROMOTION OF PEACE

MESSAGE & CORE VALUES

UNITED WE STAND
For YOUTH WELFARE
For HEALTH CARE
For EDUCATION
For TALENT DEVELOPMENT
Through
Empowerment
Tolerance
Diversity
Solidarity
Progress
BACKGROUND

Sierra Leone is a country where over 70 % of the population lives below the poverty line, with the
majority consisting of youth. And it is a country in which football in particular plays a vital in role in
society, not only in providing hope and a chance for aspiring young athletes, but more importantly by
providing a vital tool in promoting national cohesion, peace and security through friendly competition
and sporting excellence.

With the country’s high levels of unemployment and the associated social problems, football remains
the primary medium to keep the youth actively engaged and entertained.

Football, as all sports, plays a key role in creating opportunities for Sierra Leonean youth to meet and to
share ideas and experiences with youth from all over world, and to compete in an atmosphere of
respect for everybody, irrespective of race, religion or status in society.
AIM

Youth Footballers United (YFU) assists towards national youth empowerment and youth football
development through the recruitment, development, education and mentoring of players and coaches
from less privileged backgrounds.

Talent is abundant in Sierra Leone. However, most young athletes lack the mentoring and support that
helps them to understand the importance of the discipline, sacrifice, focus and commitment required to
achieve the highest level of excellence in order to be the best and to make a successful career out of
sports.

It is our aim to provide a structure that will help these young footballers to gain this understanding.
Through a system of sporting excellence, individual application, hard work, positive competition and
teamwork they will become well-rounded players and will thus be better prepared when they get the
opportunity to demonstrate their skills at footballing trials in order to become professional athletes.

ABOUT US

YFU has been operating as a non-profit social enterprise since 2010, with a focus on the recruitment and
development of aspiring youth players and coaches through devising sporting initiatives and
programmes that promote our message and core values to the nation, using football as a vehicle.

We are planning on registering as an NGO in the near future, with the aim of using common social youth
issues, such as education disparity, poverty, pregnancy and contraception, and gender discrimination
and female empowerment, to secure funding for our projects.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Funding one of our player’s tuition and exam fees for a successful conclusion of his WASSCE Exams
(West African Secondary School Common Exams)

Providing financial assistance towards the accommodation of our players in shared rooms

Financial and physical support for one of our players in the diagnosis of, and full recovery from
Yellow Fever

Successfully taking one of our players to Chelsea Football Academy for a two week assessment trial

Successfully placing two of our players with premiership clubs in the Sierra Leone football association
Premier League

Currently facilitating football trials for three of our Elite Player Programme recruits (see page ___)
with a football club in the Swedish Premier League.

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PRIMARY OBJECTIVES & STRATEGY

Recruit youth players from less privileged backgrounds, irrespective of their religion or tribal
affiliation, who we identify as having the right attitude and talent to pursue careers as professional
footballers.

Create an environment that fosters responsibility, ownership, discipline, teamwork, empowerment

and solidarity towards a common national cause: To play football for and represent Sierra Leone at
an international level.

Provide each recruit with a tailored educational programme to cover basic English and Mathematics.

Educate and mentor our recruits in understanding their individual responsibilities in achieving their
personal objectives.

Assist each recruit in achieving their full potential as professional athletes and positive role models
through the Elite Player Programme (EPP), a programme consisting of tailored psychological and
physical conditioning.

Assist each recruit with basic shared accommodation and transport allowance to attend the EPP,
which runs throughout the year.

Empower our coaches by providing them with most recent training materials and videos to further
enhance and develop the EPP, and to thus build their own portfolio.

Promote the players through social and professional networks in order to create new transparent
channels and opportunities for them to showcase their talent and secure genuine employment as
professional footballers worldwide.

BRANDING & COMMUNICATION STRATEGY

Branded sports apparel with logo to advertise the sponsor brand and message

“NATIONAL YOUTH AWARNESS FOOTBALL TOUR INITIATIVE”

Form a YSU Football Team that will tour the country and promote sponsor message and values to
youth communities via players.

Workshops can be organized to educate the opposing team and the youth community in the
respective towns or villages by sharing experiences on common social youth issues, such as:

Education Disparity
Poverty
Pregnancy & Contraception
Gender discrimination & Female empowerment

followed by a competitive amicable match. 4

THE FIGHT AGAINST MALARIA

Malaria remains the most common and biggest threat to the health of our young athletes .
We are dedicated towards creating greater national public awareness in combating this disease through
SOURCE REDUCTION EDUCATION.
http://www.malariasite.com/malaria/source.htm
STREET CHILD

Potential collaboration with Street Child of Sierra Leone.

BRANDED KIT SAMPLE 5

THE ELITE PLAYER PROGRAM (EPP)
INTRODUCTION

THE ELITE PLAYER PROGRAM (EPP) IS THE BRAINCHILD OF THE SPORTS SOCIAL ENTERPRISE SENSEMAN
SPORTS MANAGEMENT, WHICH IS ALSO THE ENTERPRISE BEHIND THE PROPOSED NGO. IT AIMS TO
ASSIST TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL GAME IN SIERRA LEONE, WITH
A STRONG FOCUS ON YOUTH FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT NATIONALLY.

WITH THE CURRENT DEVELOPMENT METHODS FOR ELITE PLAYERS (E. G. THE ENGLISH FA’S FUTURE
GAME) IN MIND, THE EPP HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO PROVIDE TALENTED YOUTH PLAYERS WITH
ADDITIONAL ELITE TRAINING, CONDITIONING AND MENTORING TO MAXIMIZE THEIR SUCCESS RATE AT
INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL TRIALS.

TARGET

OUR TARGET IS TO PREPARE THESE YOUNG FOOTBALLERS FOR BEING SUCCESSFULLY RECRUITED INTO
THE TOP FOUR TEAMS THAT FINISH IN THE SIERRA LEONE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PREMIERSHIP
LEAGUE (IN ANY CURRENT SEASON) WHILST INCREASING THEIR CHANCES OF BEING SUCCESFULLY
SCOUTED FOR INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL TRIALS.

FORMAT

THE PROGRAMME FOCUSES ON INITIALLY RECRUITING FIVE TALENTED YOUNG FOOTBALLERS BETWEEN
THE AGES OF 16-22 YEARS WITH POTENTIAL TO SUCCEED ON AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL, WHO WILL
UNDERGO AN INTENSIVE TAILORED TRAINING PROGRAM UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF QUALIFIED
INSTRUCTORS FOR A PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS.

THE AIM OF THE EPP IS TO PREPARE OUR YOUNG PLAYERS TECHNICALLY, PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY
BY PROVIDING A TRAINING PROGRAMME THAT CATERS FOR THEM AS FULLTIME ATHLETES AND THAT
EXPOSES THEM TO THE LATEST TRAINING DRILLS AND COACHING TECHNIQUES USED DURING TRIALS AT
ELITE CLUBS.

ONCE A PLAYER HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED, RECRUITED AND REGISTERED, HE ENTERS OUR PERSONAL
PERFORMANCE PROGRAM (PPP), WHICH IS AT THE HEART OF THE OF THE EPP. THE PPP IS COMMITTED
TO ENABLING EACH PLAYER TO FULFILL HIS POTENTIAL. IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THIS, THE PROGRAM
OPERATES IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS CONDUCIVE TO THE INDIVIDUAL’S AS WELL AS THE TEAM’S
PROGRESS.

THE EPP AIMS TO START SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO THE START OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE, IN TIME FOR
NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUE FOOTBALL TRIALS. 6
AREAS OF CONDITIONING

TECHNICAL WHILST CARRYING OUT TECHNICAL AND SKILL WORK, THE EMPHASIS LIES ON PROBLEM
SOLVING. THIS WILL GIVE THE PLAYERS A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF ONE OR MORE
POSITIONS IN THE 11V11 GAME AND THE IMPORTANCE OF POSITIONAL AWARENESS
AND PRACTICE.

BALL CONTROL (FIRST TOUCH AND PROTECTING THE BALL)

BALANCE
POSITIONING
DRIBBLING
SHOOTING
BALL RETENTION AND DISTRIBUTION
DECISION MAKING

PHYSICAL WE LIVE IN THE AGE OF THE SUPER-FIT ATHLETE AND FOOTBALLERS ARE NO DIFFERENT. THE
PLAYERS LEARN THE IMPORTANCE OF STRENGTH, SPEED, FLEXIBILITY, AGILITY AND
CONDITIONING AND ARE PROVIDED WITH INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMMES IN ORDER TO
IMPROVE EACH SPECIFIC PHYSICAL AREA. THIS WILL INCLUDE GYM WORK AND
ATHLETICS CONDITIONING.
POWER
STRENGTH
SPEED
EXPLOSIVENESS
ENDURANCE

MENTAL WINNING IS VERY IMPORTANT, AND PLAYERS MUST LEARN THE WAYS TO PERFORM
CONSISTENTLY AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF COMPETITION, REGARDLESS OF THE
OPPOSITION. THIS MEANS ADAPTING A WINNING MENTALITY WITHOUT FEAR, BASED
ON A HIGH LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE, SELF-BELIEF AND TECHNICAL ABILITY.

RESPONSIBILITY & ACCOUNTABILITY

CONFIDENCE
CONSISTENCY & PERFORMANCE
COMMUNICATION
DISCIPLINE
FOCUS & CONCENTRATION
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EDUCATION A GOOD COMMAND OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND NUMERACY IS JUST AS ESSENTIAL
TO THESE ASPIRING ATHLETES AS THEIR MENTAL AND TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT, AND
IT IS OUR AIM TO PROVIDE EACH OF THE PLAYERS WITH THE NECESSARY TUITION TO
ACHIEVE THE REQUIRED LEVEL FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE EFFICIENTLY
AND WITH CONFIDENCE.

DUE TO THEIR LESS PRIVILEGED BACKGROUNDS, MOST OF THESE YOUNG MEN DID NOT CONTINUE
THEIR EDUCATION AFTER PRIMARY LEVEL. HOWEVER, WE BELIEVE THAT WITH SUPPORT
AND ASSISTANCE, THEY CAN PURSUE THEIR ACADEMIC ASPIRATIONS.

INSTRUCTOR

OUR COACH CHRISTIAN BARNES (29) HAS A (C) COACHING LICENSE AND IS CURRENTLY PREPARING FOR
HIS (B) LICENSE. WE ALSO HAVE PLANS FOR CHRISTIAN TO ATTEND A COURSE AT ST. GEORGES PARK IN
THE NEAR FUTURE TO OBTAIN HIS FA INTERNATIONAL LICENSE.

TRAINING MATERIAL (THE ENGLISH FA)

THE FUTURE GAME ELITE THE FUTURE GAME GRASSROOTS

THE EPP IS TAILORED BASED ON THE ENGLISH FA’S THE FUTURE GAME TECHNICAL GUIDELINES AND
PHILOSOPHY. 8
PICTURES

WE ARE CURRETLY RUNNING THE ELITE PROGRAM THREE TIMES A WEEK ON THE BEACH DUE TO THE
LACK OF TRAINING PITCHES IN THE CITY. 9
ANNUAL BUDGET
ANNUAL BUDGET TO COVER THE EPP FOR 5 PLAYERS AND 2 COACHING STAFF.

BUDGET BREAKDOWN
MANAGEMENT

HEAD SCOUT/TRAINER
150 $ PER MONTH
TOTAL FOR 12 MONTHS 1800$
ASSISTANT TRAINER
100 $ PER MONTH
TOTAL FOR 12 MONTHS 1200$
ADMINISTRATOR
70 $ PER MONTH
TOTAL FOR 12 MONTHS 840$
GRAND TOTAL FOR 12 MONTHS 4000$

KIT

PER PLAYER/COACH
JERSEY & SHORTS 4 SETS: 50 $
SOCKS 4 SETS: 15 $
BOOTS 4 SETS: 150 $
TRAINERS 4 SETS: 100 $
RAIN/ TRACK SUIT 2 SETS: 45 $
TOTAL 360 $
TOTAL FOR 7 (PLAYERS/COACHES) 2520 $
EQUIPMENT

BALLS
25$ PER BALL
TOTAL FOR 20 BALLS 500 $

OTHER TRAINING EQUIPMENT

BALL BAG 20 $
TRAINING BIBS 15 $
FLAT CONE 35 $
PYRAMID CONE 35 $
BOUNDARY POLES 35 $
PUMP X 2 30 $
COACH TACTIC BOARD X 2 25 $
FOX 40 WHISTLE X2 30 $
TIMER X2 60 $
MEDICAL KIT X 2 100 $
GRAND TOTAL 385 $

PLAYER ALLOWANCE

ACCOMODATION
1 SHARED ROOM FOR 2 PLAYERS PER MONTH 20$
1 SHARED ROOM FOR 2 PLAYERS FOR 12 MONTH (X 3) 720$
TRANSPORT
PER PLAYER PER MONTH 25 $
PER PLAYER FOR 12 MONTHS 300 $
TOTAL FOR 5 PLAYER FOR 12 MONTHS 1500 $
STIPEND
PER PLAYER PER MONTH 25 $
PER PLAYER FOR 12 MONTHS 300 $
TOTAL FOR 5 PLAYER FOR 12 MONTHS 1500 $
HEALTH CARE
PER PLAYER OR COACHING STAFF PER YEAR 300 $
TOTAL FOR 7 PLAYERS/COACHES 2,100$ 11
EDUCATION
PER PLAYER SOLELY FOR ACADEMIC STUDIES TBD
This allows sponsorship for academic advancement and professional
courses on a case by case basis.

TRAINING GROUNDS

SLFA ASTRO TURF TRAINING PITCH

ONE 2 HOUR SESSION PER WEEK 80$
GRAND TOTAL FOR 52 WEEKS 4160 $

GRAND TOTAL 17,385 $

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SPORTS EQUIPMENT AND APPAREL DONATIONS ARE JUST AS WELCOME AND IMPORTANT TO
OUR ORGANISATION AS FINACIANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

SPONSORING & ADVERTISING

ALL SPONSORS/DONORS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THEIR NAMES AND/OR COMPANY
NAMES TO BE LISTED ON OUR REGISTERED LIST OF SPONSORS/DONORS.

WE ALSO HAVE ADVERTISING SPACE ON OUR KIT, WHICH CAN BE BRANDED AS PER REQUEST.

WE WILL SET UP FACEBOOK AND SKYPE ACCOUNTS SO THAT SPONSORS CAN COMMUNICATE WITH
THEIR SPONSORED PLAYERS REGULARLY.

THANK YOU FOR READING OUR LETTER.

PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO SHARE ANY IDEAS YOU HAVE WHICH YOU FEEL MAY HELP OUR
NGO/FOUNATION TO GROW AND BE SUSTAINABLE.
KINDEST REGARDS
ON BEHALF OF YOUTH FOOTBALLERS UNITED