EFL Trust hosts largest ever NCS Conference
Hundreds of team members from the EFL Trust’s NCS network came together from across the country to celebrate the success of NCS 2019 and look ahead at delivering the experience to 24,000 young people this year.
NCS is a youth programme that runs every summer and autumn, during school holidays, designed for 16-17 year olds across England and Northern Ireland.
Teens get the opportunity to mix with a new crowd, live away from home for a while, take on new challenges and in the process build lifelong friendships.
Having successfully won a bid to deliver NCS to 24,000 young people in 2020, the EFL Trust’s NCS Conference doubled in size, welcoming over 65 NCS providers including Community Club Organisations, Sports Charities and Youth Organisations.
The purpose of the conference was to share experiences and learn from one another so that EFL Trust’s network can provide the best possible experience for young people across the country on NCS.
Hosting this year’s conference was NCS Graduate Jasmin Devine-Runkee, who did an excellent job in front of over 170 delegates. Jasmin is a fine example of how NCS allows young people to grow. She graduated from NCS in 2018 with Hymers College in Hull and has since gone onto take part in plenty of opportunities which includes hosting this year’s conference and being a key member of the EFL Trust’s Regional Youth Board.
During the conference delegates heard from Dame Juila Cleverdon, Board member of NCS Trust and co-founder of #iwill campaign. Julia spoke with passion about the EFL Trust’s NCS programme and the positive impact our network has had on thousands of young people. Referring to the power of football, Julia said;
“You have an incredible power to reach, retain and excite people in communities in ways that others just can’t.”
Delegates also heard from NCS Graduates, Emmanuel Essien, Leonie Hudson and Joe Harris, who shared their experience on NCS and their journey after, inspiring the audience. Amanda Best, Chief Operations Officer, at NCS Trust also addressed the network about the exciting future of NCS, and the delegates also heard from Dan Baxter, College Relationship Manager at NCS Trust.
Dominik Stingas Paczko, Head of NCS at EFL Trust was delighted with how the EFL Trust NCS Conference had gone;
“The range of NCS experience in attendance across the audience, is by far the broadest we have ever had. Some delivery partners are entering their 9th year of delivery, while others are embarking on their first tentative steps. Our conference has been an opportunity to share their knowledge, enthusiasm and learn different ways of working to enhance each and everyone’s NCS programme so we can offer the best possible programme to young people of this country.”
EFL Trust has worked with NCS since 2009, delivering the life-changing experience for young people across the country. To date, we have worked with over 60,000 teenagers, helping them to realise their potential and reach their future goals.
