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Sixteen prisoners have received recognised coaching certificates with the help of Auckland FC.
The club has worked with the Fifa Foundation, Department of Corrections and Serco on the Twinning Project, which gives prisoners a recognised football coaching certificate to help them reintegrate back into society.
Sixteen prisoners atKohuora Auckland South Corrections Facility attended three workshops every week since the start of the year.
Those first 16 completed their course and received their coaching certificate at a ceremony attended by Minister of Corrections and Sport Mark Mitchell.
Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker said the project has shown it can unite communities.
“Speaking to the prisoners and to the staff, it’s clear that all have enjoyed and felt the benefits of this experience,” Becker said.
The programme gives prisoners a recognised football coaching certificate to help them reintegrate back into society.
“And all are fans of Auckland FC, proving the power of football to unite communities.”
The project, first launched in the UK in 2018, was funded by the Fifa Foundation and will extend to two more cohorts of prisoners with two of the 16 who have just graduated returning as coaches.
Hilton Freund, global CEO of the Twinning Project, said the programme is an example of how collaborations between agencies can benefit the community.
“Across the world, the Twinning Project has repeatedly proven its ability to deliver change,” Freund said.
“It’s fantastic to see the programme now up and running here in New Zealand.”
Minister of Corrections and Sport Mark Mitchell was in attendance.
Gerry Smith, prison director of Auckland South Corrections Facility said the feedback received on the programme so far has been positive.
“The programme directly aligns with our broader approach to rehabilitation – alongside dedicated Māori and Pasifika cultural programmes, industry training, health and wellbeing, and education,” Smith said.
“Feedback from the men in our care and our staff has been overwhelmingly positive.
“All participants fully engaged and committed to the programme – and were proud to do so.
“We have also seen how the course has influenced others within the facility, with a lot of prisoners keen to be selected as part of the next cohort.”
