Manchester United Football Coaches Train Vietnamese Social Workers to Protect Vulnerable Children in Partnership with UNICEF Viet Nam

The training is part of Manchester United's "United for UNICEF" partnership, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year and is the longest running partnership of its kind between a sporting organisation and a global charity.

Manchester United Foundation football coaches will train Vietnamese social workers in football skills with the aim of helping them connect and engage with marginalised children, paving the way to provide additional vital support.

"Manchester United Foundation is thrilled to be here in Viet Nam, working with UNICEF to train local football coaches and social workers with skills to share with vulnerable children. Football has the power to bring people together and we hope that the skills we leave behind will be used to engage at-risk children, opening the door for them to receive further support,"said John Shiels, CEO Manchester United Foundation.

In Viet Nam, Manchester United funds UNICEF's essential work to protect children who are vulnerable to abuse, exploitation and neglect. Funding is also used to support orphaned children, those who have been involved in child labour or trafficking, and children who live on the streets or suffer from drug abuse.

"The power of Football has an uplifting effect on vulnerable children through inclusion, healthy recreation and developing vital life skills". Said Mr. Youssouf Abdel-Jelil, Representative of UNICEF in Viet Nam. He added: "In this context, the partnership with Manchester United Foundation provides hope and promise for groups of vulnerable children in Ho Chi Minh City in terms of their inclusion and re-integration in the work and life in their communities".

This first-ever football workshop will train 10 volunteer coaches from Ho Chi Minh City football clubs and 20 social workers in how to use football as a tool to promote protective behaviours and promote reintegration in the community.

For further information, please contact:

• Ms Laura Ngo-Fontaine, UNICEF Hanoi, Tel: +84 966 539 673, lngofontaine@unicef.org
• Ms Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, UNICEF Hanoi, Tel +84 904154678, ntthuong@unicef.org

Notes to Editors:

UNICEF UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. For more information about UNICEF and its work visit: www.unicef.org/vietnam/

United for UNICEF

Manchester United was the first football club to take the initiative in developing an active partnership between UNICEF and the world of football. United for UNICEF was launched in 1999 and is the longest running collaboration between a Premiership football club and a global charity. To date, the

club has raised over £3.4 million helping over 3.4 million children worldwide. Manchester United was one of the first corporate partners to sign up to support UNICEF's five year global children and AIDS campaign, Unite for Children Unite against AIDS.

Manchester United's partnership with UNICEF under the 'United for UNICEF' brand is managed by Manchester United Foundation.

Manchester United Foundation

Manchester United Foundation works in some of the most disadvantaged areas across Greater Manchester and uses the passion for Manchester United to educate, motivate and inspire young people.

We deliver football coaching, skills training, personal development and life changing experiences, providing young people with opportunities to change their lives for the better. Find out more: www.mufoundation.org