Issue 8 - February 09 touchline News from League Football Education

News p2 PFA Coaching p4 Progression 2009 p6 & 7 Apprentice Focus p8 & 9 LFE Blogs p11

Progression 2009 Bigger and better than ever

LFE is a partnership LFE Technical between The Football Partner League and The Professional Footballers’ Association. LFE in Europe LFE Virtual Puma Learning LFE is offering a unique One youth team to and exciting opportunity spend two weeks Environment for 3 Clubs this summer. with GIF Sundsvall, (VLE) Youth Having successfully participating in the applied for funding from daily life of the club, the Leonardo Da Vinci training and playing Gathering Pace Mobility Programme LFE competitive games. The continued roll Alliance can now finance three out of the LFE VLE is youth teams to visit These football activities gathering pace with Sweden on a Pre-Season will be complimented over 50% of clubs, newsThe 2009 Football Tour. The opportunities with a series of social Update education providers Tracking and available are: and cultural activities to and apprentices League Awards enhance the experience. accessing the system Two youth teams For further information The annual Football League Awards will once again to complete apprentice Monitoring to participate in on the programme, progress reviews. be taking place on Sunday 29th March 2009 at the former League As we cross the a tournament in application requirements Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane. The next phase of the halfway point champions Queens Ostersund with top and club selection criteria Park Rangers closing implementation plan Winner Nominations for the Apprentice of the Year categories in the season level teams from across please visit : will see a further 20 – in the Diamonds face have now been shortlisted for consideration by a panel the battle is well Sweden and the rest www.lfe.org.uk/leonardo. 30 clubs adopting the a tough battle for the of Europe for a total of Each year LFE carry out a tracking and of judges and the winners will be announced at the underway for system with the goal gala dinner in London. top spot. two working weeks. monitoring programme and this year the the regional of all clubs using the questionnaires that were completed online were system by the end of The Apprentice of the Year Awards celebrate the Conference Last years League the academic a year automatically entered into a free prize draw to achievements of Apprentices and provide an opportunity League titles in and Cup double National Apprenticeship Week still the main target. win a Marc Ecko watch. to showcase young talent. The Awards recognise the nominee’s commitment, hard work and dedication to the Puma Youth winners Hull City On February 23rd-27th England’s second annual Further enhancements their Apprenticeship both on and off the field. Alliance. currently sit in third Congratulations go to Matthew Paterson National Apprenticeship Week will be held. position but with to the system will from as the Prize Draw winner! Co-ordinated by the Learning and Skills Council see the piloting of The 2009 nominees are: games in hand the The young striker was awarded a professional In the South West the week provides the opportunity to celebrate e-learning materials Wickes Young Apprentice Award - Championship Tigers are in control contract at the end of his Apprenticeship in the Conference Swindon achievements, raise the profile of apprentices supporting the Aaron Morris – Cardiff City of their own destiny. summer of 2008 and has featured in the Saints Town remain 6 points and also remind employers of the vital role Psychology Unit of the Curtis Wynter – Coventry City NVQ taking place from senior squad numerous times this season. clear of second apprentices play in industry. LFE fully intend to Sean Scannell – Crystal Palace In the North West early in the New Year. Oscar Gobern – Southampton placed Plymouth, support The LSC in this initiative by showcasing Conference the Ross Jenkins – Watford but with two games the successes of our Apprentices at Football Clarets have been John Dunleavy – Wolverhampton Wanderers in hand Argyle will League Clubs and underlining the benefits of left chasing Carlisle be hoping to catch the Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence. Nivea for Men Apprentice Award – League One and pass the current Utd and Wrexham Tom Aldred – Carlisle United League leaders as they battle for Andrew Milne – Leeds United the title. With a goal Luke O’Neill – Leicester City and retain their Harry Baker – Leyton Orient title for the second scoring average that Daniel Powell – MK Dons season running. is better than 3 goals Stuart O’Keefe – Southend United a game the Clarets Sean Morrison – Swindon Town Rushden & Diamonds will be hoping that their firepower will Nivea for Men Apprentice Award – League Two are currently sitting It’s your Newsletter pretty at the top see them triumph Robin Nicholls – Brentford Got a story? Want to share news with other LFE partners? George Bowyer – Rochdale of the South East come the end of Matthew Phillips – Wycombe Wanderers Conference, but the season. This is your newsletter and we welcome any contributions from all Apprentices, Coaches, Clubs, Parents and Partners. 2 If you have a story, email : [email protected] 3 PFA Coaching Never too young to learn says The PFA’s Geoff Lomax

As The PFA’s Regional Coach in the North West, I travel across the region to deliver the Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Football to a range of individuals from ex pro’s to Apprentices & Professionals of clubs in all divisions.

It would be fair to say that all the clubs As Craig states; “It was a learning curve and and players I deal with are both supportive if it could help me succeed and progress and switched on to the benefits of the further in my career then I needed to ask qualification, however one Club and questions to better understand it. I also found Apprentice has to be applauded for their that the course helped me appreciate what efforts over the last two years. the coach was trying to do or get me to do on the training pitch”. A 92% success rate on the L2 qualification during the last two seasons is testament Craig’s interest went further. On hearing that to the hard work of all the Apprentices a number of senior Professionals at the club Supporting our and Coaching staff at Tranmere Rovers. were going to attend a UEFA B course with Yet one particular Apprentice, now turned The PFA he was soon asking if he could join in. professional, stood out from the crowd and Charity Partners really impressed me, namely Craig Curran. Most young player’s would have enough to contend with trying to establish themselves in Craig was really keen on the Level 2 course, the first team squad but as Craig says; “I saw During the 2008 – 09 season LFE has The pack has been utilised by a number Boots for Africa, CLIC Sargent, Kick it always asking questions about coaching this as the next step, I wanted to know what been pleased to highlight the work of of clubs which has seen Apprentices Out and The Sporting Chance Clinic. and the game in general. Needless to say he the manager would be asking of me when I passed with flying colours in-spite of having was training with the 1st team and this gave charity partners Boots for Africa, CLIC involving in themselves in equality to cope with the demands of making his first me a great vision of what’s expected”. Sargent, Kick it Out and The Sporting presentations, coaching sessions, school From Santa Dashes to 24 Hour team debut while taking the qualification. Chance Clinic. visits and the donation of used challenges and boot donations, LFE will The course is still on going, Craig is still football boots. continue to support the ethos of all All the emotions and expectations which playing and asking questions and the next surrounded him during that time could generation of Apprentices have just passed Phase one was the production of the our charity partners and hope that all have weighed heavily on his shoulders and their Level 2 coaching badge. ASE Activity pack which celebrated the Keen to ensure that we practice what clubs participating in ASE will be able the coaching course could easily have been activities of these organisations and was we preach LFE Staff have also been to integrate these worthwhile activities neglected, but no, he still attended the At Tranmere Rovers it really does seem that course, and was still as enthusiastic as ever it’s ‘never too young to learn’. launched to coincide with Kick it Out’s eager participants in engaging with into their schedules. when it came to his Final Assessment. ‘Weeks of Action’.

4 5 Progression 09 Progression 09

The Two Events

Progression 2009 Progression 2009 The Northern Event Progression is back for 2009 and 25th/26th March 2009 The Sheffield Arena it’s bigger and better than ever! Sheffield

The Northern event is also being held in It only seems like yesterday when are well on their way to becoming conjunction with Careers in Sport and Leisure a spring Mancunian day last March qualified gym instructors employed by Many are reaping (CSL) which also means double the exhibitors greeted the inaugural Progression08 Fitness First having undertaken a Gym for you to meet. If that’s not enough The Royal careers event held at the City of Instructor qualification with YMCAfit. the rewards of Marines have got an even more spectacular Manchester Stadium. show planned and there will also be a few Former Apprentices James Hoad the Progression surprise visits from personalities across the whole of the sporting world. Highlights included Royal Marines ex-Watford and Alex Jennings Partnerships LFE and demonstrations of abseiling and ex-Leyton Orient have found LFE will be working with you and your Club one to one combat, Olympic Silver themselves hurtling down the ice, to make sure you can register and attend the medallist Darren Campbell lecturing racing around the cycling velodrome its support partners event but make sure you make the most of on the move from aspiring footballer or diving to save Hockey balls rather it by visiting www.progression09.com to see to Olympian and England star David than footballs having been identified a good standard while gaining an what it’s all about. Bentley dropping in to lend his support as potential Olympic medallists by the academic education at the same time. and getting more than a passing English Institute of Sport as part of the interest from the girls on the First Pitch2Podium initiative. With many of last years Apprentices Progression 2009 Choice holiday stand! inspired by what they saw and heard at Others like Rhys Darg, previously Progression08, this year’s events promise The Southern Event to be bigger and better as we continue In the midst of this activity though, of West Brom and Toby Davis, 9th April 2009 Apprentice footballers and Professional ex-Plymouth Argyle have been playing to enhance our support programme for Rugby players alike made important in Sweden as a result of attending all Apprentices in professional football The Madejski Stadium links with employers and education & LFE’s Assessment trials and joining the looking at alternative or secondary careers following their Apprenticeship Reading training providers gaining a valuable European Mobility Programme. Progression 2009 Edward VII Quay, Navigation Way, Preston PR2 2YF E: [email protected] T : 0845 074 0561 g.uk programme. F : insight into future career opportunities. 0870 458 9251 www.progression09.com That’s not to mention the large Coming to the end of your professional sports career? I n t r o d u c i n g For information on how you could be Wondering how you might P r o g r e s s io n Many are reaping the rewards of the contingent of Apprentices that have complement a professional sports career? We lc o m e t o winning team... P r o g r e s s io n 2 0 0 9 Progression Partnerships LFE and its moved into Higher and Further part of these programmes and much Signfor another Progression is the umbrella strategy for bri I n f o r m a t i o n P a c k sports people seeking alternative or c employers, educators and training prov nging together elite level require the skill sets that a backgroundomplementary in El careers with support partners formed through this Education in the UK and the USA, more, please visit such as good communication skills iders who recognise and and working under pressure. ite sport instils; qualities , dedication, discipline, teamwork Find your new career It is a strategy based on creating mutual benefit wher www.progression09.com at Progression09 - move into alternative and/or complementary c first event. Over ten ex-apprentices most continuing their football at The Careers Events profit from the talent and abilities of thes Coming to the end of your pr eby individuals Wondering how you migh ofessional sports career? also an important element that seeks The Northern Event: areers and organisations The Sheffield Arena - March 25th/26th. t complement a professional sports c Clubs or into alternative sporting careers ate theelite el individuals. There is to place athletes at alternative The Southern Event:S gi n of ra n o ht e r areer? The Madjeski Stadium, Reading - 9th April. ite level. Be part of it - visit nd the Progression09 - The Careers Events will put you w in n in g te a m . life and in front of organisations who understa AASE Apprentices •ELITE Current SPORTS PEOPLE w w w. P r o g r e s s io n 0 9 .c o m ls skills you have acquired in your sporting Athletes • Retired Athletes her this is in for more information and to registerwho are actively seeking to bring those skil The PFA • The FL • OtherSUPPORT Sports PARTNERS B into their own winning teams, whet odies • Government education or employment. the only YEARLY PROGRESSION ACTIVI s people. Careers Events • Assessment Trials • Tra Progression09 - The Careers Events are TIES events staged exclusively for elite sport Find your new career at Progression09 - The Careers Events cking • Other Services BESPOKE PROGRESSION PRO Be part of it - visit The Northern Event: YMCAfit & FitnessFirst • Leonardo

r The Sheffield Arena - Ma GRAMMES www.Progression09.com rch 25th/26th. Mobility • Pitch2Podium The Southern Even for more information and to registe The Madjeski Stadiu t: Employers m, Reading - 9th Apri Education Progression09 - The l. Providers “Organisations Training understand the skills Careersyou Events will pu (HE/FE) t you in front of organisat Providers profit from seeking to bring those have acquired in your Other Elite ions who the talent and education or em skills into their own winn sporting life and who Sports ployment. are actively Be part of it - visit ing teams, whether this abilities of these

Progression09 - The Careers Events are the on is in elite individuals” w w w. P r o g r e s s io nregister 0 9 .co m

for more information and ly events staged exclusively for elite sports people.

for more information and t and to register information more for

www.Progression09.com www.Progression09.com Be part of it - visit - it of part Be 6 7 Apprentice Focus Trio make waves on south coast

Five of the six 2nd Year Apprentices last and made a name for himself when academically and from a personal Academy Manager, Matt Crocker term earned professional deals at St “The only way he was unfortunately sent off for an development perspective means that believes that the club’s ethos will mean Mary’s and they will be keen to emulate over enthusiastic challenge on Nemanja I feel in a good position to be mature that young players will always be given a long list of former Saints youth team to succeed as Vidic in last months FA Cup tie against enough to make the most of the an opportunity; graduates that include , Jeff Manchester Utd. opportunity I’ve got here.” Kenna, , Wayne Bridge a footballer “At Southampton our success is based and more recently and Both Mills and Paterson are keen for Paterson reiterates his team-mates on hard work both on and off the field. Gareth Bale. their progression to continue and comments saying: Players are instantly rewarded if they are or for that believe that their Apprenticeship has achieving a high level of performance Of the current crop, the Saints served them well as they look to embed “My time at the club has been great and the philosophy of ‘if you are good management has already blooded three matter any themselves in the Saints starting eleven. from day one but it has been a steep enough you are old enough’ is very true of the five in the Championship this learning curve coupled with hard work. at our club. The blend of football and season with Matthew Paterson, Joseph profession is Mills states: The only way to succeed as a footballer, education is vital and all players are told Mills and Jaime White all making their “My Apprenticeship provided me with or for that matter any profession, is to from day one that maximum effort is debuts within a month of each other. to work hard” a chance to establish myself at the work hard. As an Apprentice that ethos required in both disciplines to achieve While Southampton club and develop both on and off is instilled and it is something I know I success at our club.” might not be All three have made great strides in the pitch. The football has gone must carry forward if I want to continue their development as players this term brilliantly but other things I learnt both to catch the Manager’s eye.” enjoying the most with White enjoying a loan spell at Shrewsbury Town prior to Christmas, successful of while his peers were often on first team duty. campaigns in the Full-back Mills is an England youth Championship no international and was regularly involved with the first team during the early one could accuse months of the season after making his league debut against Barnsley, while them of not giving Scottish striker Paterson has made a “My Apprenticeship provided me with a number of appearances since making youth a chance. his league debut against Norwich City chance to establish myself at the club”

8 9 Development Fund LFE Blogger LFE Blogger Tom Aldred

Carlisle United’s Tom Aldred is the newest recruit to LFE’s Blog Online. Now in his second year with the club, the promising central defender was handed the youth team captaincy this season and has been a sound performer in both Youth and Reserve teams.

At the end of November he was thrilled to receive the news that he had been selected to join the Scotland U19 squad at Hampden Park for a two-day training camp in mid-December.

After receiving the call-up Tom thought things couldn’t get much better, but the week before he left for Scotland, Carlisle’s newly appointed Manager Greg Abbott handed Tom and fellow team-mate Jonny Blake professional contracts that will see them with United until the The Development Fund summer of 2010. Set up in 2006 to provide clubs with an opportunity to invest in the The deadline for the Development Fund for the 2008 – 09 season will Tom will be writing for LFE’s online blogs for the remainder of this delivery and support of the ASE programme the fund has once again be 31st May 2009 so please ensure that you submit your applications season, and following the training camp at Hampden, we can now look been in operation this season. before this date to maximise the funding available. forward to hearing about his experiences with the Youth and Reserve teams as well as his full debut for the First team squad…. With the fund totalling £250,000 this season, 18 clubs have been If you need any further help or advice in relation to the Development quick to draw down funding. Expenditure has included outward Fund or have any ideas on how the scheme could be developed in bound days, equipment such as laptops, software to enhance future years please do not hesitate to contact Alan Sykes on 0870 training and learning, and one club using their allocation towards the 458 9250 or e-mail : [email protected] purchase of a new club minibus. EXTRACT FROM THE BLOG By Tom Aldred “We played Crewe in the third round of the Alliance Cup. We’ve just got to put the Crewe FA Youth Cup and we were all up for it. It was game behind us and move on. reminiscent of last year and we all wanted to get through to the fourth round and get a big The weekend game was against Rochdale tie. Unfortunately we were 1 - 0 down within at Gillford Park. The pitch was very spongy 20 minutes and it became very difficult. and by the end of the game it was just a mud bath! We did alright though, scoring eight We conceded another couple of goals and goals, and some of them were real beauties. I suppose you can say that they scored their With Burnley missing a game the result meant second when we were pressing on. We were that we will keep top position throughout the all disappointed but there is still plenty to Christmas period, so that’s something very play for with us going well in the League and positive to go away with”.

10 11 Case Study Club & College Partnership Jack of all trades Bury College in Partnership with Bury, Oldham Athletic and Rochdale Football Clubs After two years as an Apprentice at College where he undertakes further Lincoln City, midfielder Jack McGovern theoretical and workshop learning in was given the news that all players topics such as Key plumbing principles, dread when he was told that he was to Common plumbing processes, cold be released by the club at the end of water systems and Electrical Supply and the 2007 – 08 season. Earth Continuity.

Despite the obvious disappointment, Jack states; the news of his release put things “While I love football it became into sharp focus and he soon started apparent that I needed to make some planning for a secondary career away decisions about a future away from the from football. game. I’ve always been a hands on type of person so this opportunity was one Thinking about his options Jack recalled I jumped at. I’ll now hopefully come the exposure he’d had to the plumbing away with new qualifications that will and heating industry via a friend of the set me up as a Gas Heating Engineer. family and soon decided that this would be his route away from football. It feels like I’ve landed on my feet with this opportunity but I would urge Three weeks after the expiry of his all Apprentices at Football Clubs to Staff at Bury College have The research workshops have contract with the Red Imps, Jack was starting thinking about the ‘what to do been kept busy this year by the proved particularly popular with heading in a new direction via an next’ question just in case”. arrival of Oldham Athletic and the three clubs. Rochdale’s Head Apprenticeship with Aaron Services, Rochdale’s Apprentices who of Youth, Chris Beech states: a company that has offices across the have joined Bury’s Apprentices “The delivery at the college East of England and specialises in the at the college for the delivery of and our study support centre The student’s time at Bury installation of new heating systems their Technical Certificate. works well and engages our College is important as it teaches and the servicing and maintenance Apprentices, they are able to the young footballers different of systems in around 50,000 homes With players undertaking BTEC research their assignments and elements and techniques. They throughout the East Midlands, National Certificate, Award and engage in group discussions and benefit from a programme of Lincolnshire and East Anglia. First Diploma qualifications workshops which enhances the delivery designed to match their the college have ensured that learning process” interests with units including Now well into a programme that will delivery and timetabling is sports injuries, coaching, see him become a fully qualified Gas flexible to the needs of Clubs Course leader Rehan Hamid is and nutrition. Heating Engineer, Jack combines his and Apprentices. keen to focus on the service the work placement with Aaron Services college provides: We are proud to maintain an with day release attendance at Lincoln The college which is a stones excellent relationship with throw from Bury’s Gigg Lane “Bury College provides an the clubs and LFE and the ground is visited by Apprentices excellent teaching and learning support that we get from them from the three clubs for a full environment for the Apprentices is something that we value. days tuition and lecturing of Oldham, Bury and Rochdale. We will continue to provide an “It feels like I’ve landed on on Mondays’ and Thursdays The students benefit from a well excellent learning environment while college staff then visit all equipped massage studio, sports for all students and give them an my feet with this opportunity” three clubs to deliver research hall, fitness studios and specialist experience that they will cherish workshops over three hour blocks sports staff who work hard with for the rest of their lives.” on a separate designated day. all the students.

12 13 LFE Staff Profile

Coming to the end of your professional sports career? Wondering how you might complement a professionalProgression sports career? 09 Meet Paul Urwin Sign for another winning team... Born in Redcar near Middlesborough Paul began his early school life at Westfield School, and went on to successfully complete his O Levels (now GCSE’s) and A Levels. Continuing his education Paul moved onto Hull University and gained a 2:1 classification on a degree in English and American Literature.

With a keen interest in sport and coming Industry and as a result Paul became clubs across the North of England. Alongside from a sporting background, Paul decided part of a team of people that included challenges undertaking a regional role Paul to extend his training and completed representatives from the exam board Edexcel is tasked with the development of new his Physical Education Teacher Training that developed the first training course in educational programmes and work on key qualification at Leeds Carnegie. Moving Sport and Recreation - Leisure Management. skills and additional learning support elements back to his old comprehensive school in that compliment the ASE programme. Redcar he then spent his next few years Paul then went on to work with Harold concentrating on his role as a PE teacher. Shepherdson (former England Assistant However the most rewarding part of his manager) to provide the first course in the role remains his interaction with apprentices After a number of years at Westfield Paul country developed specifically for young and club staff. Involved in the education Find your new career at Progression09 - The Careers Events moved into Further Education working professional footballers which combined of footballers for a number of years he at Longlands College. It was through this education with football development. is keen to remind players of the benefits The Northern Event: role that he began to develop his career, Famous faces that participated on the very of completing the ASE programme and The Sheffield Arena - March 25th/26th. working alongside his headmaster they first course were Tony Mowbray, Mark believes that the key to success is “a positive identified that there was a gap in the Proctor and Craig Johnson. attitude coupled with 110% effort”. market for those interested in pursuing The Southern Event: a career within the Leisure This was beginnings of his involvement with Away from his job Paul is a devoted The Madejski Stadium, Reading - 9th April. the delivery of courses in the Professional family man and a lifelong supporter of game and he was soon engaging with Middlesborough Football Club. A family Progression09 - The Careers Events will put you in front of organisations who Micky Burns (Then PFA Education Officer) orientated man Paul cites his proudest and Pat Lally to deliver courses on Football’s moment as seeing both his son and understand the skills you have acquired in your sporting life and who are actively Youth Training Scheme. daughter graduate from University. He seeking to bring those skills into their own winning teams, whether this is in continues to participate in a variety of Always ambitious Paul progressed through sports, in particular Swimming where he education or employment. the ranks of the teaching profession has represented Great Britain in European and eventually became Vice Princple of competition over the last 5 years in the Progression09 - The Careers Events are the events staged exclusively for elite sports people. Middlesborough College a position he held Masters Swimming team. Currently ranked for over 15 years before joining LFE. in the UK top ten for British Masters

Swimmers in his favoured 1500m Freestyle ©2008 League Football Education Designed by ICG www.icgonline.co.uk Paul now combines his role as LFE’s Business event Paul will be competing in the Great Development Manager with that of a North Swim, across Windermere in the Lake Regional Officer and is responsible for 4 District later this year. Be part of it - visit www.Progression09.com 14 for more information and to register 15