Coach Kieran Finds His Opportunity At Swindon Town FC Community Foundation

After becoming disillusioned with college, Kieran dropped out and found himself unable to find work in the fallout from the global pandemic. Read more

Young people bounce back and raise over £1,000 for causes in their local community

As with many young people, the past year has been challenging, however Year 11 students from George Pindar School in Scarborough have come together through the NCS programme to raise over £1,000 and support other causes in their community. Read more

From NCS Participant to NCS Admin Support Officer – Hamda’s Story

“I live so close to the ground, so to be working with the Trust out in the West London area is something I am so proud of. I can’t thank QPR and the Kickstart scheme enough.”
Read more

10 Years of NCS

This week marks ten years since the EFL Trust partnered with NCS (National Citizen Service) to deliver life-changing experiences for young people, aged 16-17, across the country. Read more

Nicol Meredith: This job found me and I was made for it

A job that was made for me and a real chance to change the opportunity for all talented girls in Football… Read more

Trainee Achieves Full Time Position With Rochdale

In football, both on and off the pitch, it is always heartwarming when a trainee makes the most of their opportunity and is rewarded with a full-time position. This is the case for Ikram Irfan at Rochdale AFC Community Trust.  Read more

Female Talent Inclusion Programme expands into 34 EFL Communities

Young females in over 24 new EFL Communities given the opportunity to be considered and referred to the FA England Women’s Talent Pathway. Read more

How Practical Learning Helped Jack Land his Dream Job

For 24-year old Jack Brooker, Wigan Athletic Community Trust has played a huge role in his life. When his friends headed of to University, Jack wasn’t sure that what he wanted to do as he much preferred practical rather than academic learning. That’s when his journey with Wigan Athletic began, a journey that landed him a full time role at the Community Trust and ironically a degree.     

Having first become involved with the club’s official charity in 2014 as a learner on the Football and Education programme, Jack has recently progressed into the role of Football Officer. Jack said,

“My role involves building on the strong relationship between the Community Trust and Wigan Youth Zone. It involves managing the pitches at the Youth Zone and ensuring there is an offer every day for young people in the local area, including football activities through the Premier League Kicks and the Pathway 2 Participation programmes.”

Jack began his journey with Latics seven years ago, as a learner on the Level 2 Football and Education before moving onto the apprenticeship and then in a full-time role as School Sports and Cohesion Coach. The 12-month programme provides 16-19 year olds with the opportunity to gain sports industry recognised qualifications through classroom learning and work placement opportunities with Community Trust coaches. Now looking back, Jack is grateful for the opportunity he was given to start a career as a sports coach and involve himself in something he had a keen interest in. jack comments,

“I first became involved with the Community Trust when I was 18 through the Football and Education programme. My friends were going to university and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but this offered me a hands on approach with learning which really interested me. It was ideal as it combined learning with a practical element and it gave me the chance to learn about becoming a coach which helped me then progress onto the apprenticeship.”

He adds: “The apprenticeship was even more hands on and allowed me to develop myself even further and it provided me with the opportunity to work four days a week with head coaches in schools and on other community programmes.”

His transition through the Trust’s Training and Skills offer eventually provided Jack with a full-time job as a School Sports and Cohesion Coach and the perfect stepping stones to begin a career in the industry.

He said: “Since working with the Trust, I feel it has enhanced my life massively both personally and with my work. I’ve been able to progress from starting as an apprentice to go on and work as a School Sports Coach and now onto my current role. It’s helped me learn new skills in the work environment like confidence and being able to stand in front and talk to big groups at sessions. That’s something I never thought I’d be able to do.”

Jack’s passion to improve and develop has continued in his recent roles having recently completing a two-year Foundation Degree in Football Coaching, Development and Administration with the University of South Wales.  Delivered in partnership with the university, the degree provides students who are passionate about a career in the sports industry with long distance learning and qualifications to help them take the next step.

“Through completing the degree it’s helped me develop both my delivery in sessions and also the young people I’m working with. The things I’ve learnt I’ve been able to put into practice and I’ve also been able to pass on my knowledge to younger coaches who are in the same position I once was.”

For more information about our degree programme click here.

Bradley is given new confidence through NCS

“The skills he has learnt from just those 2 weeks on NCS has given him so much confidence and he relays his experience to people with joy and excitement. Thank you so much to everyone for giving Bradley the opportunity to show him he has the ability to do anything he wants.”

These are the words from the family of Bradley, who completed the NCS programme in Burton this summer. Bradley is autistic meaning he was considerably nervous when joining up with the rest of the NCS group facilitated by Burton Albion Community Trust. Despite worries about the full-on nature of the programme, these concerns would soon be dropped.

After just two days, there was a notable improvement in Bradley’s demeanour and approach to the activities, staff and fellow NCS participants. Bradley quickly developed a reputation for someone who was determined and persistent in each and every activity he engaged with; developing a great relationship with members of staff.

Bradley’s determination and fortitude was on display when an ex-professional athlete spent the day as group mentor. During this, the young people had the opportunity to learn how to ride scooters. Bradley was phased by this at first, but dusted himself off continued to try.

Involving himself in the social action project also posed a challenge for Bradley to overcome. But his new found confidence was enough for him to be forthcoming with any questions, or when he needed to be assigned a new job – participating in every activity. Bradley and his team rejuvenated the Community are of Burton and South Derbyshire College for their social action project, clearing the community way and planting new plants to bring the area to life.

“Bradley was an absolute pleasure to work with, when I first met him I was a little worried with the intensity [of the NCS programmme]” said NCS Programme Lead, Gemma Lanchester.

“With support and encouragement from the staff, you could see him go from strength to strength, having less moments of struggle… It has been lovely to see how much Bradley has developed his personal skill.”

Bradley was part of a group of 15 amazing young people with special educational needs from Fountains School who all have found the past year very challenging and disruptive. Burton Albion Community Trust supported the group through the programme ensuring they had an experience they would never forget.

“NCS has been a really positive experience for this group of learners, they have really surprised us with what they have achieved & they have worked really hard.” said Shafeen Akhtar said, Fountains Head of Post 16.

“They have really enjoyed themselves. We are excited to put a new group through next year.”

Places are available for 16 and 17 year olds to sign on to NCS this summer. For more information visit: wearencs.com.

Marketing Graduate Kickstarts Career With Walsall FC Community Programme

Walsall FC Community Programme continues to provide a host of opportunities for young people hoping to gain real-world experience in the workplace. The transition from education to employment has challenges in itself & those difficulties only multiplied during the pandemic of 2020. Read more