3rd March 2024
A truly inspirational evening on Friday at the @DisSportYorks Awards. Thank you to @ActiveHumber for inviting us to celebrate the very best of disability sport within our region. I am incredibly proud of our volunteer team & it was fantastic to share the evening with them.
December 2023 Westminster Carol Service honour
More fantastic recognition from @barton_club as @JoNewby1969 & Chris are invited to Westminster Abbey’s carol service. Jo and Chris were invited as a thank you for over 20 years of fostering, and the impact on the lives of over 100 children.
Nov 2023 – Royal Appointment for Barton’s Sophie!
The South Yorkshire Ability Counts League recognises Barton Inclusive FC as one of the
many fantastic clubs involved in our competitions. Last May, our Sophie Bartup received
fantastic recognition for her fabulous contribution to the Barton’s success when she was
invited to King Charles’s Garden Party just before the Coronation.
Our website editor Margaret Gregory took time out to ask Sophie about her special day,
and started by asking her about the invitation.
“I was invited to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, in recognition as a Royal
Voluntary Service Coronation Champion, one of 500 from across the UK.” Sophie told us.
“People could nominate volunteers from within their local communities, and I was lucky
enough to be chosen. Whilst I was delighted to accept the award, the biggest thank you
must go to the many volunteers I am fortunate enough to spend time with, week in, week
out who continually inspire me and motivate me to continue to do what I can to help build
a positive future for inclusive football within the area I live. Visiting Buckingham Palace
was an honour, and I felt proud to represent Barton Inclusive FC and Little Victories in
the Community.”
Margaret: – “Tell us a little about the day – it must have been a fantastic experience for
you!”
Sophie: – “The whole experience of visiting London and being a guest of HM The King was
truly wonderful. The garden party was spectacular, and it was so special to meet so
many other volunteers from up and down the Country, who were all their representing
their communities. I felt proud, and it was nice to reflect on my own volunteer journey
and appreciate the impact I have made, which often as volunteers, we don’t do.
However, we should, because the tremendous collective effort of volunteers in
communities all over the UK is providing life changing experiences for many individuals
and families across a diverse range of activities. As Chairwoman of Barton Inclusive FC,
I am committed to ensuring our volunteers are valued and supported effectively to enjoy
their experiences, whilst provide a clear pathway to those who want to help and make a
difference.”
Margaret: – “ Did you meet the King or any of the Royals ( or Lionel Ritchie for
that matter?)”
Sophie: – ” We saw The King and Queen at Buckingham Palace, and we met HRH Prince
Edward, who was keen to learn more about what we did as volunteers. We tried to
embrace every moment and to be honest, it almost felt surreal at times. As we were
walking the grounds of the Palace gardens, I spotted someone I knew. I couldn’t believe
it! It was Colin from the South Yorkshire Ability Counts League, who I know well and who
is a wonderful volunteer and Champion of the work we do at BIFC. I shouted “Colin!”
across the gardens and he came right over, which was lovely.”
“On the Sunday at the Windsor Castle Coronation Concert, I was a guest of Maria
Wilford who is a volunteer with our cerebral palsy football team at Little Victories in the
Community. She was invited by Trish Dalby, the Deputy Lieutenant of the East Riding of
Yorkshire, and Chair of Trustees at The HEY Smile Foundation. Maria is 73 and started
her volunteer journey at the age of 71, and now is an integral member of the volunteer
team, which provides her with a sense of purpose and belonging, and she’s truly doing a
magnificent role impacting on many young people and their families. Our favourite act
was Katy Perry.” “ We honestly had a blast!”
“ Whilst the excitement of the King’s Coronation was full of splendour and ceremony, it
feels good to be back doing what I love, and volunteering my time in football. I had what
felt like an experience of a lifetime, which I’ll never forget, I am excited for the season
ahead, and all the achievements of our players to come that I know will contribute to
their quality of life, health and happiness.”
Congratulations to Sophie on her well-deserved award!
East Riding Grassroots Award for Barton Coach Chris !
Staying with Barton, http://www.southyorkshireabilitycountsleague.com is delighted to
recognise their Under 12’s and Under-16’s manager Chris Newby, winner of the
Disability Coach of the Year Prize at the East Riding FA’s Grassroots Award held at the
MKM Stadium. Lady Jo sent on the Club’s Facebook page which paid tribute to Chris’s
fantastic achievement.
Many congratulations Chris from all at The South Yorkshire Ability Counts League.
Monday night under the lights! Congratulations to Jay and Milli being awarded Trainer of the Week for their teams. Jay was outstanding in goal, focused and ready ahead of Barton Athletic FC’s final league games of the season in the @SYorksACL on Sunday.
Well done Milli, who always trains hard. Coach James was impressed with how she listened well and then put her learning into practice showing a fantastic attitude to developing herself as a footballer. A great night.
The volunteer team at BIFC-Hull
The volunteer team at BIFC-Hull were excited on the 3rd of April 2022 when Heather responded to a shout-out on social media for an assistant coach. She wrote a heart-warming application detailing why she would be the perfect candidate to support coach Chris and his new U12 squad.
Heather is passionate about football, playing since she was 6 years old and now is a key player as CDM of Tickton Harriers U18 Ladies. At school she studied sport to GCSE level, where she coached children with additional needs to help and encourage them to safely take part in new physical activities. She is currently in her final year studying BTEC Sport level 3 at a local college and is planning to start her sports teaching degree at university this September.
After attending a couple of training evenings in April to meet the volunteer team and all the players we threw Heather in at the deep end. Her first training session as assistant coach of the U12’s was on May 13th Heather immediately got the ethos of our inclusive practice. She was a hit with the new players and the evening was a great success. Heather was hooked ! and offered to step in the next day to attend a tournament in Harrogate with our U16 team. This was the beginning of a great working relationship between Heather and Chris and when he began to coach the U16’s she soon followed and remains their biggest fan, especially on match days.
Heather’s empathic understanding, patience and brilliant personality means she is now a very loved, respected and valuable cog in the BIFC-Hull wheel. She is determined to be the best coach she can and has shown amazing commitment to her training and personal development pathway. Completing the BT Playmaker, FA Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Concussion Guidelines, Introduction to Disability Football, Equality and Diversity training and Safeguarding for All in her first few months then this year alone she has aced the Introduction to Coaching, Safeguarding Children and FA’s First Aid Courses.
Since joining us almost a year ago, Heather has shown how hugely dedicated to her role she is, she has barely missed a training session or match. But her volunteering at BIFC doesn’t stop there, she even steps in to help the adult team if needed. Heather was instrumental in player Sam developing his confidence to progress from the young man who only managed 10 minutes of training, with 1-2-1 support from Heather, Sam is now comfortable enough to stay the full session independently. She helps to facilitate social events and team celebrations. Giving up Sundays to attend team bowling trips, Heather is always up for a bit of fun with these players and was keen to make our festive session special by dressing up as Santa’s helper. This enthusiasm is what makes Heather a brilliant role model for our younger volunteers and a fabulous ambassador for our club.
Heather is definitely one of Barton Inclusive Football Club’s shining stars. Her college has recognised and rewarded that star quality in her too. Heather was recently chosen from a shortlist of 64 applicants to be one of the few students taking an all expenses paid work experience trip to Australia. She will spend two weeks, exploring, enjoying the culture and teaching sport related activities to young people in Sydney including football and all things surf school!!!
“We are thrilled she has won this once in a lifetime trip and hope she has a magical time although she will be sorely missed at training,” says fellow volunteers Jo and Chris
Whilst we are extremely grateful for everything Heather does for us, she is thankful for what she gets personally from her volunteering role and had this to say, “Best thing I ever did was join BIFC, I love being part of a team that makes football available to everybody.”
South Yorkshire Ability Counts League 