The trust is also involved in different programmes and activities which help to provide opportunities for youngsters to engage within positive expereinces of Barnsley Football Club

This highly successful initiative helps raise money for schools and a Community Programme that is totally self funded.

Children are given the opportunity to take penalties, for which they are sponsored by family and friends. The prizes include medals, certificates, footballs, match tickets and signed Barnsley shirts. The events have generated an incredible £200,000 over the past 5 years. This income is reinvested within the Primary Schools to support existing sporting facilities contributing to continued provision.

The partnership between local schools and the Community Programme is lucrative and the benefits are enjoyed by children both in school time and at all Community Programme activities.

If you are a fan of the Super Reds, there is no better venue for your birthday party than Barnsley Football Club.

Football theme parties are available Monday to Friday and prove to be a fantastic birthday surprise for any young reds fan. The parties run from 4.00 until 5.30pm and are available for boys and girls aged 5 to 13 years.

The birthday package includes :-

• Invitations
  
• Drinks
  
• Food
  
• 45 minutes indoor 5-a-side football
  
• Birthday Card
  
• Cake
  
• Fully Supervised by FA qualified staff

For the Birthday child :-

• A signed Mitre football by all the first team players
  
• A voucher to claim 2 tickets (child and adult) to a home league game of your choice (subject to availability)

Cost is £150. Minimum of 10 children attending and £5.50 per extra child.

Barnsley FC Community Programme works with approximately 25,000 children per year.

We are a fully inclusive provision for boys and girls of all abilities. Children are encouraged to participate in the sessions with the main aim to be healthy and have fun. Coaches working with this high number of youngsters from Barnsley and surrounding areas are ideally placed to identify potential talent. Barnsley FC boasts an excellent Academy system which relies on scouting local young talented footballers to develop them into the stars of tomorrow.

By working in partnership with Senior Academy Staff the Community Programme can be used as a vehicle to recruit potential talent and provide a structured pathway for children involved in the Community Programme into the Academy System.

Jake Ward, aged 10, is one youngster who after attending a Barnsley Community Programme holiday course at Dearne Valley College was recommended to the Barnsley FC Academy. After his initial trial period ended, Jake was signed to the Barnsley Academy Under 11's team.

Darryl Billington, Senior Sports Development Worker for Barnsley Community Programme and Academy Coach said "Barnsley Communirt Programme see a number of children via the Saturday Morning Club and Holiday Courses we run at Dearne Valley College. If we can guide talented players in the direction of our academy then this benefits both the club and local community".

Dave Hancock, Barnsley FC Academy Operations Manager, added "It is important that our scouting network continues to expand and develop at youth level. This new development between Barnsley Community Programme and the Academy will benefit talented players who live in Barnsley and the surrounding areas".