‘Coaching for Life’ - Connexions project
highly commended at
National Careers Award
 Connexions Northamptonshire the support service for young
people aged 13-19, has recently won a highly commended award
at this year’s National Careers Award. The award was
received under the under the category of ‘Initiatives
focusing on social inclusion’ at an awards evening in
Solihull, West Midlands on 9th November.
Under the banner of Coaching for Life, Connexions
Voluntary sector team and the three main sports clubs (Northampton
Town FC, Northampton Saints Rugby Club and Northampton Cricket
Club) came together to deliver three 10-week coaching courses
to young people aged 16-19 years who were not in education,
employment or training (NEET).
 Paul
White, Connexions Personal Adviser who set up the course,
said:
"The project was aimed at inspiring young people
to get involved in sports, work as part of a team, and develop
new skills to help them remove barriers that stop them reaching
their aspirations. The young people involved had the opportunity
to achieve accredited qualifications such as the Community
Sports Leader Award in Rugby Coaching; Young Leaders award
in Cricket; FA’s Junior Football Organisers Certificate
in Football Coaching and a First Aid Certificate. They also
had life skills training, which together has improved their
prospects for seeking future education, training or employment
opportunities."
Comments from young people:
“It was an excellent course, I enjoyed being at
the Cricket ground and seeing some professional players.”
“I enjoyed learning new things in the study centre,
using the computer and having a game of cricket with the coach
was great.”
“I have really enjoyed the coaching course, I made
new friends, learnt new skills, and gained more confidence.”
Connexions would like to thank all the community coaches
at each sporting club, Mr Russell Lewis, Mr Ross Stewart and
Mr Philip Rowe for all the hard work they contributed. Following
the success of these projects The Rushden and Diamond Football
Club are also on board and a project starts on Monday 26th
November.
The next Coaching for Life project is being held at Northampton
Town FC every Friday 10.30am to 13.30m starting on the 7th
December. Further projects will also be running in 2008. If
you are unemployed and aged 16-19 and would like to get involved
then please contact
Paul White, Connexions Personal Adviser on
07793 307239.
|
