New football coaching initiatives teach Sussex youth about fire and road safety Young people in Sussex will now have the chance to learn about fire and road safety from their footballing heroes.

East and West Sussex Fire & Rescue Services have jointly developed a partnership with Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club to offer football-coaching programmes and initiatives to children and young adults that focus on fire safety, arson reduction and road safety.

Called 'Football in the Community', the courses help young people to learn about the dangers of fire and making hoax emergency calls and how to be safe on the county's roads. Albion players and a wide range of football skills are used to keep the young people interested in these important topics.

The official launch of the programme was launched during The Seagulls' game against Crewe FC on Sunday 27 August. Some of The Seagulls' first team players and chief executive Martin Perry accepted presentation cheques from firefighters representing both East and West Sussex Fire & Rescue Services. The cheques will be used to financially support the Footballing in the Community programme in the future.

The coaching programmes - which are the first of their kind in the UK - have been developed over the last two years by Firefighter Dave Amiet from East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service. Dave, who is also a qualified football coach, takes the young people through a series of footballing skills, each session with an important fire and road safety message.

Dave explained: "By talking to young people through the game of football, we're able to break down barriers and they are more willing to listen to what we're trying to say. Football is a great leveller, which anyone - both boys and girls - can enjoy. We want to teach young people about the dangers of fire, the importance of road safety and ultimately, help to save lives in Sussex. At the same time as learning these valuable messages, young people can enjoy a great sport and stay healthy - it's a win-win situation."

Dave is now working closely on the project with West Sussex firefighter Richard Coomber . Still in its early stages, it has already been trialled at schools, colleges and holiday courses throughout East and West Sussex. In the new school term, starting in September, the Football in the Community programme will also visit special needs schools and work with social inclusion partnerships which help disadvantaged groups of young people.

Darren Teague , football inclusion project manager for Brighton & Hove Albion FC, has been working alongside East and West Sussex Fire & Rescue Services to implement the project. He said: "This is a fantastic partnership for Brighton & Hove Albion FC. To be able to work with Fire Service personnel dedicated to saving peoples lives is a new experience for me and for the team. I am positive the partnership will be a great success and would like to see other professional clubs follow our initiative."

Lionel Barnard , West Sussex County Council cabinet member for public safety, said: "By forging this innovative link with the Seagulls, our firefighters are reflecting their policy of playing an increasingly high profile role in a wide range of key community activities, particularly those involving young people."

For more information please contact:

Rochelle Humphrey or Emma Knott
The Priory Partnership
Tel: or email:

Gary Towson
Press Officer
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service
Tel: or