Alnwick teacher seeks donations of old sports kit ahead of next coaching trip to Malawi

One of the youth teams in Chitipa, Northern Malawi.

Andy Bottomer, who manages a voluntary sports development project in Chitipa, was making his third trip to the south-east African nation.

“This year we concentrated on the training of youth football coaches,” he said.

Football kits donated by Longhoughton Rangers FC and Felton Juniors FC were also taken, while 25 footballs were donated and T-shirts for the trained youth coaches were kindly donated by Sports World Alnwick.

A youth team in Chitipa, northern Malawi.

“In Chitipa there are 11 registered football clubs each with a senior, U17 and U14 team,” revealed Andy.

“Working alongside local football coach Wachisa Munkhondijah we trained 15 youth coaches aged 15-17, including six girls.

“They were trained in sports leadership skills – planning, delivery and evaluation of events, communication, fair play, officiating and safe practice.

“We held a six team U12 mini festival,” he added. “They are now training and organising an U12 'eight a side' mini league with the support of their senior coaches and Wachisa.

“He will repeat the course in March and June 2020 to train a further 30 youth coaches.

Andy is now looking for support with fund-raising and kit donations ahead of his next trip.

“When I visit in September 2020 we will hold further training for the 45 trained youth coaches,” he said.

If you have any old football or cricket kit please email [email protected], message him on Facebook (Andrew Bottomer) or call 07391598802.