Russell Martin Foundation (RMF)

Despite the difficult times we have all faced in 2020, the Russell Martin Foundation (RMF) has been able to see light at the end of the tunnel and is looking forward to a very exciting future in 2021.

The registered charity which was set up by Russell Martin in Brighton in 2016 as a football academy to help local players. has since that time expanded to something he’d never dreamed of.

‘When I originally set up the organisation, I was captain of Norwich FC but knew then that eventually I wanted to moved back to my hometown, Brighton. I also knew that I wanted to help give opportunities to others. Since that time, life has changed massively not only for me but also for the organisation’.

Russell, who is now manager of League 1 side MK Dons sees a very bright future, ‘Now, not only is our football provision developing and expanding, but we have also set up an education department which is making a significant difference to students throughout Brighton & Hove secondary schools and are about to set up a similar project in Worthing. Watching the organisation grow and help so many young people has been such an amazing experience and in 2021 we are looking to widen provision even more through facility management and health improvement initiatives’

RMF Chief Executive, Alan Sanders believes the success of the organisation lies not only with Russell’s vision but with the staff. He stated, ‘I have to say I’m not wholly surprised at the impact we have had when I think about who works for us and how committed they are. They are constantly striving to improve and find new ways of helping the local community. It’s a real privilege to work in such a vibrant organisation’

Football (led by Gary Mansell)

• A football academy, with over 600 players aged between 5-14, which is cheap & affordable including the offer of sibling discounts.

• Many players who have gone on to sign for professional clubs

• Curricular and extra -curricular activities in many local primary & secondary schools

• Holiday courses throughout the academic year (with over 2,000 participants for 2019/20)

• A post-16 academy for Varndean College. Sussex Champions for 2017/18 & 2019/20. Also, employment pathway for college graduates

• A short-term mentoring scheme for Year 11 – 12 students

• Managing the Hove Park as part of a 15-year lease for the Hove 3G pitch with record numbers of participants from the local community

Education (led by Tom Betts)

• RMF have had outstanding success with alternative provision for 11-14 year olds which is funded by the local authority and all 10 Brighton & Hove secondary schools. This provision is a 12-week course for 11-14 year old students who are struggling with full time education. Their success is measured on attendance, academic progress and measured improvements in social and emotional well-being. The attendance levels for these students has been higher than the national average for mainstream students between September and December this year

• RMF has now been given contracts to set up 3 new centres in 2021 which will be funded by West Sussex County Council (WSCC) & 30 secondary schools in Worthing, Chichester and Crawley.

• RMF expanded its provision by winning a European Social Fund project to help upskill the local workforce by offering mathematics courses (Level 1 & 2).

Charitable donations (led by Donna Cox)

• RMF have been providing vulnerable families with food packages which for many has been a lifeline

• RMF has joined forces with the ‘Clock Tower Sanctuary’- a registered charity which helps young homeless people aged 16-25 years. RMF during November and December has managed to provide brand new sleeping bags, hats, socks, gloves and many more essentials items such as hygiene and cleaning products.

• This year we have managed to help 44 low income families and provided them an annual membership worth £500 per player. This meant these players could reach their full potential and play football at a high standard. This opportunity showed a huge increase in their wellbeing, confidence, understanding of the game and their skill set.

• We have supported and funded the walking disability ‘Limitless FC’ for the 3rd year running

• A free disability course which not only gave the players a full day of fun packed activities designed around their individual needs, this also gave the parents much needed respite for them to have some rare ‘me’ time.