Poppy - Home Education sessions
“It’s made some of her dreams come true” – CACT’s Home Education sessions creates Charlton Women pathway
One of Charlton Athletic Community Trust’s (CACT’s) aims is to increase girls’ participation in sport from a young age and after coming along to CACT’s Home Education sessions Poppy, 11, has started training with Charlton Women’s Regional Talent Club (RTC).
11-year-old Poppy started attending Charlton Athletic Community Trust’s (CACT’s) Home Education sessions in October 2021.
CACT’s Home Education sessions run every Wednesday during term-time at Charlton Athletic’s Training Ground for home-schooled children aged 4-15.
Poppy attends regular Home Education sessions with CACT coaches alongside other home-schooled children of various ages and abilities. Participants take part in fun social games and learn the basics of football, all whilst engaging in physical activity.
Poppy’s football skills stood out from the start and after attending the sessions for four months, CACT Football & Sports Development Coach Josh Covill, encouraged Poppy to start training with the U11 girls at Charlton Women’s RTC which she now attends weekly to further develop her ability.
Since training with Charlton Women’s RTC, Poppy has been a matchday mascot for their first-team on a number of occasions, including the historic Charlton Women’s game on 1 May which marked their first time playing at The Valley since turning professional at the start of the season.
Poppy’s mum said:
“Poppy has become more confident and has made new friends coming along to the Home Education group.
“She is always excited to come along as it’s always so good. It has also given her the most fabulous experience for an 11-year-old this season and made some of her dreams come true.”
Josh, who has been working with Poppy at the Home Education sessions since she began attending, said:
“Poppy has been attending the Home Education sessions for a while now and from the beginning she had a great attitude towards football which really stood out.
“At CACT we always look at different things we can do to help children progress and help them achieve their goals, with Poppy it was clear that she had the skill set and willingness to learn which would allow her to thrive with other girls of a similar age and ability at the RTC.
“We hope Poppy continues to improve and most of all enjoy her football at both the Home Education sessions and the RTC!”
Click here to sign your child up to our Home Education sessions.