A new football project in Bath is helping boys build confidence, friendships and positive mental wellbeing through the power of community sport.
The initiative, called Team Talk!, launched in November 2025 and is run by Boys in Mind in partnership with local organisations. It brings together pupils from St Mark’s School Bath for weekly football sessions at Larkhall Athletic Football Club’s Camella Stadium.
Held every Tuesday after school, the sessions involve 16 boys who have been selected to take part in the programme throughout the academic year. The aim is to give them the chance to experience a full football season while building strong relationships with coaches and teammates.
The sessions are led by experienced coach James Gray and assistant coach Toby, who act not only as football coaches but also as mentors and role models for the boys taking part.
Jim Cumpsom, Outreach and Engagement Lead for Boys in Mind, said, “Team Talk! is about far more than football. It’s about creating a safe and supportive environment where boys can talk, connect and feel part of something positive within their local community.”
The programme combines football training with opportunities for the boys to become involved in the wider life of the club. Participants help keep the pitch and changing rooms tidy and may assist on match days, encouraging a sense of belonging at their local football club.
Jim commented, “Football is such an accessible sport for this age group. It gets them outside, active and away from screens, while also creating natural opportunities for conversation, teamwork and support.”
The initiative comes at a time when educators and sports organisations across the UK are highlighting the importance of strong role models for boys and young men.
In August 2025, the Lost Boys Task Force was launched, bringing together leaders from education and the sports community to call for government funding to train 10,000 ‘trusted adults’ in schools and sports settings.
Jim added, “Strong male role models are incredibly important. Structured coaching and mentoring can offer what we call ‘light touch’ support, which can make a real difference to young men’s confidence and wellbeing.”
Feedback from the boys themselves has been overwhelmingly positive. One participant said the sessions had helped improve his behaviour and sleep, explaining that the activity helps him “get your energy out in good ways”.
Another said, “It’s made me more confident… it’s made Tuesdays fun and helps you make friends.”
Others said the sessions help them concentrate better in school and give them something positive to look forward to after lessons.
School staff have also noticed improvements in behaviour, confidence and attitude towards learning among the boys taking part.
Looking ahead, the organisers hope to capture the impact of the project in a short film created with media students from Bath Spa University.
Jim said, “Our goal is to create a strong group that bonds over time. That sense of belonging is incredibly important for mental wellbeing, and we’re already seeing how powerful that can be.”
