Through funding from the Football Foundation, Albion in the Community have teamed up with Mid Sussex District Council, West Sussex Primary Care Trust and Downland Housing to deliver a Football and Health Development project for the Mid Sussex Area.

The project aims to tackle health inequalities across the district using football as a vehicle to promote healthy lifestyles.

The main aims of the project are:

- Ensure that young people most at risk from health conditions associated with unhealthy lifestyles and those with conditions that would benefit from regular exercise are included in the project.
- Provide employment opportunities created for appropriately qualified individuals.
- Create & develop opportunities for adult participation in healthy activities.
- Increase physical activity levels in the workplace amongst adults.
- Increase participation levels in physical activity during the school holidays .
- Develop pathways through to semi professional and professional football for talented young players.
- Increase participation levels in physical activity (through football) in targeted sections of the community.
- Promote social inclusion in these areas through football.
- Develop club football through FA Club Charter Standard scheme

Our Work In Mid Sussex

Motor Skills Project
Groundbreaking project aimed at youngsters referred to us by Mid Sussex Motor Skills Clinics. Sessions include work on agility, co-ordination and balance using football training techniques such as SAQ and plyometrics.

Anti Social Behaviour
Seagulls coaches challenge young people from areas renowned for anti-social behaviour to behave on and off the pitch. The players sign an agreement to behave during sessions and away from football for six weeks. In return they receive an Albion match ticket.

Social Inclusion Sessions
We work weekly in areas of social deprivation such as Denham Rd, Burgess Hill, Bentswood in Haywards Heath, and various areas in East Grinstead.

Holiday Course Programmes
We provide soccer courses during school holidays in areas such as Hurstpierpoint, Hassocks, Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, East Grinstead, and Cuckfield.

Click here for full details of forthcoming courses.

After School Scheme
We work in over 17 schools in the district providing after school clubs for both primary and secondary schools.

Football Fitness
We are about to commence 'fitness for football' sessions with the aim to attract adults who for one reason or another do not use the gym but would like to be involved in some form of exercise. Sessions are designed so that individuals are training for a team but without including any football playing technique.

Olympos Centre Sessions
All football sessions at the three leisure centres in Mid Sussex are the responsibility of the Football and Health project. These amount to over 12 a week.

Food for Sport
Full Seagulls healthy food menu at all Olympos Leisure Centres in Mid Sussex. Items are chosen carefully to provide a health conscious range for the active individual. This scheme features Gully's Bucket, which consists of, a Seagulls themed pick and mix lunchbox featuring a choice of sandwiches, drinks, healthy snacks and a free Albion gift.