Sir Stanley Matthews Coaching Foundation | Sports Coaching

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The Sir Stanley Matthews Foundation

Changing

The Game

The Sir Stanley Matthews Foundation provides training and support for sports projects and young people across the U.K. and further afield, developing well-rounded, active citizens.

Our Projects

The Sir Stanley Matthews Foundation works both home and away, helping young people across the world.

Local Heroes

Want to make a big difference in your own community? Find out how we can help.

Developing People

People are at the heart of what we do. Find out about our mentoring project and how we can help.

Our Values

Sir Stanley lived and played following his own code of conduct. Find out how we try to follow in his footsteps.

"Young people today, for all their awareness and sophistication with modern technical innovations, are still basically the same as youngsters in my day, no better, no worse. I am convinced that some people would benefit from taking up a sport, even a sociable kickabout with mates in the park. I've seen the value of youngsters playing football in just about every country in the world. That's why since my retirement as a player, I have traveled the globe preaching the gospel of football."

Sir Stanley Matthews

A Values Based Approach

We believe that strong values are fundamental to all that we do. We have created a world-class mentoring programme focusing on:

Leadership
Resilience
Teamwork
Innovation and Creativity
Ownership and Responsibility
Health and Nutrition
Life Long Learning

“I am proud to be an ambassador for the Sir Stanley Matthews Foundation. It is wonderful to be a small part of continuing the legacy of possibly the greatest footballer this country ever produced.”

John Motson OBE

“It is a great honour and privilege to be an ambassador for the Sir Stanley Matthews Foundation, an organisation which uses sport as a vehicle to engage and educate and gives hope where there was once only despair”

Gordon Taylor OBE,

PFA Chief Executive

The Foundation's Clubs

Clubs and individuals who reach a certain level on our assessment criteria are invited to join the charity's entry-level club. As members learn how to incorporate the Foundation's values, they are eligible to move up into higher groups.

'32 Club

Sir Stanley made his professional debut for Stoke City on the 19th March 1932, having played 22 games for the reserves. Our '32 Club recognises this important milestone - individuals and projects which enter this group are already exhibiting many aspects of our seven values.

'48 Club

The '48 Club is named after Sir Stanley's first FA Cup final appearance in 1948. Sir Stanley realised that if he were to succeed, he would need to improve. He did this consistently. For example, in the 1935-36 season, he added the double body swerve to his game becoming even more effective. Similarly, for individuals and projects to enter the '48 Club, they need to show consistently high standards across the seven Foundation values.

'51 Club

While closer to winning the FA Cup in 1951, Sir Stanley was unable to drive his team forward to the ultimate prize. Similarly, individuals and projects in the '51 Club are those that are operating at a very high level indeed. Nevertheless, there are still changes and improvements that can be made.

'53 Club

Named after the 'Matthews Final' of 1953 when Sir Stanley finally reached his goal, this club recognises children and young people, as well as projects and coaching staff, that are implementing the seven values at the highest level.