Witton Albion's new scheme will give youngsters NVQ chance (From Northwich Guardian)

Witton Albion's new scheme will give youngsters NVQ chance

12:20pm Saturday 13th March 2010 in

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WITTON Albion has agreed to help teenagers in the town to find work by offering them a chance to help run the club.

The Northwich outfit plans to open the doors to its Wincham Park home so students can see for themselves what happens behind the scenes.

“We’ll give them an opportunity to see how Witton Albion is run from top to bottom,” said commercial director Graham Pickering.

“They will get involved in all aspects of the club, from what we do in the run-up to match day through to the action out on the field.”

Witton is acting as host for course provider Luis Michael Training, which is offering youngsters across the country the chance to achieve an NVQ Level 2 in sports recreation, allied occupations and activity leadership.

Their scheme, open to boys and girls aged 16 to 18, runs for three hours every Friday from next week and covers topics such as child welfare, communication, first aid and sports leadership.

“We’re excited at the prospect of helping to develop young people with their academic studies and football talent,” said Witton chairman Mark Harris.

“We want to put the club at the centre of the community around it, and we think we’ve found an ideal way to do that.”

Witton is one of the first clubs in the north west to sign up for the programme, which has already proved a success at Football League outfits Bournemouth and Sheffield Wednesday.

It hopes to attract newcomers to the club in the process, whether as helpers off the field or even as players in the team’s red and white stripes.

“We’re always looking for volunteers,” added Mr Pickering.

“Everybody who helps out now gives up their time for free to help us through each day, but if there are one or two students who want to stay involved after completing the course they would be welcome.”

Candidates can sign up for the course, which starts next week, at an enrolment evening in Witton’s social club tomorrow, Thursday. Doors open at 7pm.

For further details, call Graham Pickering at the club on 01606 43008 or email him on GPick05@aol.com.