FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 trophy makes suprise visit Essex football coach
As part of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ Trophy tour the famous trophy took a surprise visit to an Essex school on Wednesday March 12 – and surprise coach Rachael O’Brien during her football training session.
Rachael O’Brien, StreetGames coach, said: “To be the very first people in Great Britain to see the Trophy is truly a once in a lifetime experience.
“It has been such an uplifting day for the entire Southend community and FIFA World Cup™ fever has well and truly spread.”
The solid gold Trophy was unveiled during the session at Shoeburyness High School
Rachael was the lucky winner in a campaign run by Coca-Cola and sports charity StreetGames - encouraging volunteers, coaches and teams to nominate individuals who had made an outstanding contribution in their community.
The reward being the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy making its first visit to their local town during the GB leg of the tour.
Rachael was nominated for her work in coaching football to disadvantaged young people in Shoeburyness, Southend alongside the organisation Achievement Through Football (ATF) established by Stuart Long from South Essex Homes.
The programme was set up with assistance from Essex County Council’s Active Essex team, utilising funding from Sport England’s Sportivate programme.
Chairman of Active Essex, Gary Sullivan OBE said: “We are absolutely thrilled that the World Cup trophy’s first stop in Great Britain was in Essex, and even more pleased that it recognised a great programme which Active Essex supports.”
“We saw the potential in the Achievement Through Football programme and helped get it set up by utilising funding from Sport England so we are delighted that the programme and dedicated volunteers have been recognised.”
Sportivate is a six-year National Lottery funded programme to create a legacy from the London 2012 Games by getting more young people engaged in sport.
Together Rachael and Stuart have developed a football programme for young people which is based in Warrior’s Square Park, Southend.
Cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Ann Naylor said: “This is a great achievement and we are very proud of Rachael.
“Rachael is a shining example of someone who is giving up her time to help her local community.
“We are delighted that this campaign has decided to visit Essex and recognise an unsung hero in our community.”
Rachael was the lucky winner in a campaign run by Coca-Cola and sports charity StreetGames - encouraging volunteers, coaches and teams to nominate individuals who had made an outstanding contribution in their community.
Read more: http://www.essexchronicle.co.uk/Official-2014-FIFA-World-Cup-trophy-makes-suprise/story-20832346-detail/story.html#ixzz2wWJAAYLz
