YOUNG women from York and North Yorkshire have been using a football coaching programme to help improve people’s lives in South Africa.

Nine representatives from the North Yorkshire Centre of Excellence based at York College were sent to the location of this year’s World Cup as part of York-based education programme Coaching For Hope.

Coaching For Hope uses the universal passion for football to create better futures for children across west and southern Africa, and helps deliver HIV/AIDS awareness sessions.

Emily Toase, of Easingwold, is senior development officer for the North Riding County FA, and accompanied the girls – among the leading female players in the county – on the trip.

“It was fantastic to see such enjoyment and passion for the game despite the adverse situations many of the children live in,” she said. “It was clear the role sport plays in addressing gender inequalities and providing some small relief to those who need to forget about fear and pain.”

The trip was funded by the British Council, supported by the FA and Coaching For Hope, and gave young leaders from both countries the chance to share ideas and experiences of coaching football.

The group also visited a treatment centre for HIV/AIDS in Khayelitsha, near Cape Town, and children in townships, to gain a better understanding of how living conditions and the diseases affect the population.

Megan Bramham, 16, of Rawcliffe, was one of the representatives from our region, along with Josie Hewson of South Milford, and Helen Winterburn of Riccall.

Megan said: “Some parts were very difficult from an emotional level. I knew life was different, but it was still quite a shock to see the conditions which some people live in.

“I really enjoyed going into the schools and meeting all the young people and sharing our passion of football. I have learned it doesn’t matter what background you are from when you are on the pitch, but it really made me think how lucky I am to have access to the facilities that we have.”