The MOST Spring/Summer 2021

STUDENTS SUPPORT SOCCER SCHOOL A number of Preston’s Centre of Sporting Excellence students spent the Easter break gaining coaching experience by volunteering on Preston North End Community and Education Trust’s Easter Soccer School. The soccer school, for five to 11-year-olds, gave many local children the perfect place to have fun over the Easter period, while getting back to playing football for what would have been the first time this year in many cases, given the restrictions imposed this year. Those restrictions have also affected learners studying a diploma in sport course at Preston’s Centre of Sporting Excellence, which is the official education partnership between the Trust and Preston’s College. The partnership allows learners to access unique opportunities in sport, the latest of which being the chance to coach on the Easter Soccer School. Year two student Jack Ainsworth said: “The opportunities I have had to develop younger players and help out have been good for me to develop myself as a coach. The qualities that this course has given me are countless. It’s been really good and I’ve enjoyed it. “It’s also helpful for me to develop my studies further. The opportunities help me in my studies because I’m learning on the pitch and also off the pitch.” Fellow student Michael Broadbent added: “I have learned how to be more confident and how to deal with children. “I want to go into the coaching industry when I’m older. It’s giving me really good opportunities to learn from other coaches as well who have been here and done it before, which is really good.” PNECET Rugby League Development Officer Ryan Allen witnessed the students’ contribution first hand, having worked at Soccer School for much of the two-week period. Ryan said: “They have really shown experience beyond their years, helping out with sessions, planning sessions, and they’ve been supporting the children really well to learn new skills. “Our link with the Centre of Sporting Excellence is great. It gives the students the opportunity to come down, learn the trade and get more experience under the belt. They help the children, they help the staff out with planning, it’s been really good to see.” PP Community Education Trust and Registered Charity No: 1130773 | 32