“I would like to help young people become the best version of themselves” We Are CITC: Harley’s story. | OneFootball

Each month, Manchester City’s Charity, City in the Community (CITC) is spotlighting it’s work and programmes through the voices and stories of its participants across Manchester.

This month, CITC sat down with Harley, who started out as a participant on the One City disability programme.

Harley then went on to join the City Careers programme, where he gained his Level 2 Community Sports Leadership qualification.

As well as completing this qualification, he also enrolled onto the Level 3 Hospitality qualification through Total People, in partnership with Manchester City Football Club, which led to him securing a role with Manchester City’s hospitality team.

In this interview, Harley talks about the positive effects CITC has had on his life.

Tell us about the journey you’ve had with CITC, and how you found out about the City Careers programme?

I started my journey with CITC in September 2024 playing football at the One City Disability session that I found out about this from my physiotherapist.

I then found out about the City Careers programme through attending the Tuesday night football training. I was approached by one of my coaches, Olly Murphy, and he told me about a leadership course and asked if I would like to be a part of it.

What made you join the programme?

The main reason I wanted to join the programme was because I have always loved football, and I knew this course would give me the chance to develop my coaching and leadership skills.

What was your time on the City Careers programme like?

My time on the programme was full of laughs, some of the other members of the cohort were from the One City disability programme, and we all ended up completing the course and passing it.

This was even with us doing a hospitality course that was run by Total People in collaboration with CITC, part way through the course.

What have you gone on to do since finishing the City Careers programme?

Since finishing the careers programme, I have gone on to start a job with Man City working at Joe's East on the bar.

I have also continued attending the Tuesday night sessions and am going on to try to achieve my coaching qualifications.

How has the City Careers programme impacted your life?

The City Careers programme has had a massive impact on my life as it has led to me getting a job.

Also, I now feel more confident in looking and applying for other roles and I feel a lot more confident in myself as a result of the course.

What would you like to achieve in the future?

In the future I would like to become a disability football coach as I have cerebral palsy, and I would like to let more people know about disability football, and would like to help young people become the best version of themselves.

City Careers is a free programme which aims to help young people aged 16-25 into employment, education or training.

With both physical and mental well-being at the core of City Careers, our participants have the opportunity to holistically develop and upskill their employability and interpersonal skills.

With thanks to Blue Emergency Cover for their support of the We Are CITC series.

Protect your home and support City in the Community- sign up for Blue Emergency Cover using code CITC20 to contribute to the campaign while enjoying reliable insurance.

To find out more, visit: https://blueemergencycover.co.uk/

City in the Community empowers healthier lives with city youth through football.

To find out more, visit www.mancity.com/citc or follow @citcmancity.