Sixteen prisoners have completed a first-of-its-kind football coaching course from behind bars; with a graduation event to celebrate the milestone attended by Sport, Corrections and Police Minister, Mark Mitchell.
The Twinning Project, first launched in the UK back in 2018, provides prisoners with a recognised football coaching certificate to support their reintegration back into society.
Working with the FIFA Foundation, Department of Corrections, and Serco, Auckland FC have been delivering thrice weekly workshops to the cohort of 16 prisoners at Kohuora Auckland South Corrections Facility (ASCF) since the start of the year.
Those first 16 have now completed the course and today (Feb 20) received a recognised coaching certificate at a graduation ceremony attended by dignitaries including Hon Mark Mitchell, Minister of Corrections and Sport; Hilton Freund MBE, Global Chief Executive, Twinning Project; Jeremy Hall, British Consulate-General Trade Manager; Dave Pattinson, Acting Deputy Commissioner Northern, Department of Corrections, Raelene Castle CEO of Sport New Zealand and Gerry Smith, Prison Director ASCF, Serco.
This is the first time a football rehabilitation project like this has been delivered in New Zealand, enabled by the modern facilities at ASCF. As well as providing a recognised coaching certificate, the course teaches lessons in teamwork, resilience, respect and leadership, all useful skills when it comes to reintegration back into the community.
The Twinning Project has been made possible for the first time in New Zealand thanks to FIFA Foundation funding, which extends to support two additional cohorts of prisoners.
The next cohort, due to start in April and with a focus on prisoners aged 18-24, will see two graduates return to act as coaches and mentor the next intake.
Hilton Freund MBE, Global CEO of the Twinning Project, was in Auckland as part of the graduation ceremony and spoke about the project’s ability to change lives.
“Across the world, the Twinning Project has repeatedly proven its ability to deliver change. Whether that is supporting participants’ physical and mental wellbeing or contributing to safer communities by reducing rates of reoffending,” says Freund.
“It’s fantastic to see the programme now up and running here in New Zealand. The work of Auckland FC in delivering this project, supported by Serco, the FIFA Foundation and the Department of Corrections, is an excellent example of collaboration between agencies for the benefit of the community.”
Globally, the Twinning Project has successfully partnered with corrections facilities across the world, including in the USA, South Africa, Romania and Italy. In the UK, it has worked with nearly every professional football club, from Liverpool FC to Luton Town.
The Twinning Project at Kohuora will also be part of a longitudinal study conducted by Oxford University. The study will analyse rates of recidivism among prisoners who have completed the course.
Nick Becker, Auckland FC CEO, thanked Serco and the Department of Corrections for allowing the club to roll out the project at Kohuora Auckland South Corrections Facility.
“This is a new project for us, for New Zealand and for our partners, so we’re incredibly grateful for Serco and Corrections for allowing us in, and for recognising the benefits and the Twinning Project can bring,” says Becker.
“Speaking to the prisoners and to the staff, it’s clear that all have enjoyed and felt the benefits of this experience. And all are fans of Auckland FC, proving the power of football to unite communities.”
Gerry Smith, Prison Director, Auckland South Corrections Facility, praised the focus on rehabilitation and the feedback he had so far received.
“Serco is very proud to have been able to support the Twinning Project at Kohuora. Our facility was built to deliver these sorts of initiatives – that support better reintegration outcomes for the men in our care and, ultimately, safer communities,” says Smith.
“The program directly aligns with our broader approach to rehabilitation — alongside dedicated Māori and Pasifika cultural programmes, industry training, health and wellbeing, and education”
“A very big thanks to FIFA, Aukland FC and the Twinning project as well everyone who has made this happen.”
“Feedback from the men in our care and our staff has been overwhelmingly positive. All participants fully engaged and committed to the program – and were proud to do so. We have also seen how the course has influenced others within the facility, with a lot of prisoners keen to be selected as part of the next cohort.”
Mauricio Macri, Executive Chairman of the FIFA Foundation said; “The FIFA Foundation is proud to support the delivery of the Twinning Project in New Zealand and the use of football to equip participants with recognised skills that contribute to rehabilitation and reintegration. This initiative reflects our broader commitment to harnessing football to generate positive and lasting social impact worldwide.”
