APPLIED COACHING RESEARCH JOURNAL 2021 , Vol . 7
" It ’ s the relationship we have with them . We can talk to them about everything . You can go to them and ask them and they give you good advice . They go out of their way to help you . I ’ ve got more communication skills , like how to communicate with someone , how to speak with someone , politely , with manners . So they ’ ve helped me with that . So if I went to a job interview I would know how to present myself and speak ." ( Jack )
One of the critical factors that was used to explain the popularity and success of BCP was reliability and being there week in week out whatever the weather . The longevity of the project was also seen as crucial , especially for building trust and respect , which are not built over-night . Leon pointed out that other projects have started up in the area , but they only last a short time , reducing any impact they might have :
" You have to gain their trust so they ’ ve got confidence in you and the main thing with Benson , we are reliable . It doesn ’ t matter what the weather is , we are here . Can you remember last year when we had the bad weather , we were actually in the snow playing . It ’ s fantastic because as I said , we don ’ t let people down . There ’ s a lot that come and they ’ re here one week and gone the next week ." ( Leon )
Participants at BCP are empowered and given ownership of the project in a way that is consistent with the philosophy of the project being ‘ for the community , by the community ’. The coaches are keen to ensure that the project meets the needs of the community through regular consultation .
" You do what they need , what they want . So , things like in there now , they ’ ll decide that they want to play basketball , they want to play cricket or play tennis , whereas you go to a club and its tennis or football or whatever . They ’ re not limited to what they can do . We work with them , whatever they want . People say , ‘ you run Benson ’. No , the community runs Benson . Whatever they want , they get . If they want something , we ’ ll do our best to give it to them . So , we don ’ t restrict them ." ( Leon )
There was an awareness of the barriers that might be facing young people from deprived backgrounds when attempting to access sports clubs . One such barrier is not having the correct clothing or equipment that often leaves young people excluded from participating in organised sport .
" A coach in a club would say you need studded boots , or you need this , and you need that . You have already severed that child from the enjoyment of simple play . That to me is the biggest crucial point ." ( Leon )
This barrier is removed at BCP through allowing young people to attend in clothing of their choice as long as it doesn ’ t pose a health and safety risk .
Gangs , crime and anti-social behaviour There was recognition from the coaches that gang culture and crime are not uncommon in the local area . West Midlands Police are a notable stakeholder , recognising the work the project does working with young people , particularly in terms of offering a positive alternative to gangs and crime . BCP was often discussed as providing a diversionary environment where young people could come and play and keep out of trouble . The regularity of sessions was seen as important to keep young people off the streets . The more sessions available at BCP , the less time they needed to spend on the streets , potentially getting into trouble :
" By providing what we provide it ’ s a distraction , a diversion technique ." ( Mark )
" If we do it six days a week like we are there ’ s only one day of the week where there ’ s people on the streets ." ( Matt )
The volunteers at BCP adopt a non-judgemental approach , instead , seeking to understand young people ’ s motivations for getting involved in gangs and criminal activity . One of the founders of BCP discussed financial pressures that might make young people from the local area more susceptible to becoming involved in crime :
" Criminality is classified as a second income with the lower paid so they can fall quite easily into that trap ." ( Mark )
Getting involved in criminal behaviour is sometimes a necessary act to help support the family rather than an indication that someone is innately a bad person . By considering the act of criminal behaviour as external to the person , staff at the project aim to give everyone a chance , no matter what their background :
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