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| P.E.P.S |
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| The PEPS (Physical Education for Primary Schools) project was launched by Coventry Sports Foundation in the early 1990’s, under the founding direction of David Moorcroft, who has always believed that children "represents the most pure aspects of sport” (BBC Documentary, 1992). |
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| The project evolved from research conducted for Warwick University and examined the social implication and effects of participation in sport in disadvantaged communities. Since then, the main objectives of the project have always centred around introducing young people, particularly from economic and recreational deprivation to activities that they have not experienced. |
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| Accordingly, the PEPS project has planned units of delivery for: |
| Basketball |
| Netball |
| New Image Rugby |
| Sports Hall Athletics |
| Gymnastics (including; aerobics, trampolining, vaulting, bean and floor) |
| Racquet Sports (including; badminton and short tennis) |
| Volleyball |
| Outdoor Activities (including low ropes, abseiling, climbing and archery) |
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| With the opening of The Alan Higgs Centre in 2004, the PEPS project is now reaching 38 schools per week across the three Centres managed by the Foundation, including 8 schools that cater for children with special needs. The project currently works with 1900 children per week, throughout the course of each coaching unit. |
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| Apart from delivering new experiences in sport and providing exit avenues to those who develop a particular interest, the project has principal objectives that focus on: |
| - Breaking down inhibitions in young people towards physical activity and community facilities. |
| - Encouraging co-operative working within an alternative environment to their home and classroom. |
| - Presenting physical activity as an 'healthy' option. |
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| The PEPS programme has been cited by Sport England, Ofsted, and many other professional bodies as being an exemplary model of the way young people should be introduced and encouraged into physical activity. |
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| Busted - Busting Street Crime |
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| The 'Busting Street Crime' project (named 'Busted' by the young people) was initiated in 2002 in the South of the City from The Midland Sports Centre as a response to the increasing levels of street crime among young people that was being reported by the West Midlands Police. |
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| The aim of the project has always been to work with 'fewer' numbers of the most seriously disaffected young people who either have a criminal conviction or who have been identified as being 'at risk' of becoming involved in crime. |
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| Accordingly, a partnership between the Foundation, the West Midland Police, Youth Offending Service and local agencies obtained a three year grant programme from the Youth Justice Board to deliver the initial stages of the project. |
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| In true representation of the Foundation's "more than just sport" philosophy the key workers that are employed within the scheme deliver activities, experiences and opportunities, that focus on: |
| Re-engagement with learning and education |
| Areas of identified interest |
| Training |
| Vocational guidance |
| Employment skills |
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| Therefore, in addition to the leisure, recreational and sporting opportunities / experiences that are delivered to the young people, a number of programmes have been delivered in a range of other areas, such as involvement in 'momentum' projects for those young people that have been involved in vehicle crime. |
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| Since the implementation of the project only one young person who has been referred has ever re-offended and many have been placed in to re-training schemes or in to formal opportunities for vocational development. The Foundation itself has employed four of the referred young people with many more having placement on work experience opportunities in the Sports Centres. |
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| The project has been visited by, and received recognition and approval from, Royal representation (Prince Andrew) the Prime Ministers office (Lord Rooker) and many other local agencies who have recognised the project with two prestigious awards. |
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| Currently the Foundation is looking to expand the project from its focus in the south to cover the other areas served by the Foundation's Centres. Such demand and potential is dependent upon on the Foundation securing future funding and sponsorship. |
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