Trentham pupils train with ex-Stoke City F.C star

On Tuesday 30 of June, 12 pupils got the opportunity to receive a football coaching session from ex-Stoke City F.C captain Andy Griffin as part of a project to raise aspirations and motivate them to succeed in the classroom.

The project was run by Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) and Assistant Principal at Trentham High School Laurence Morris who put the whole of the Year 10 boys into groups with a simple challenge- improve their grades, attitude and the winning group would receive a suitable reward.

One of the many rewards on offer was a coaching session at NULC by Andy Griffin and the colleges’ Football Coordinator Dave Beswick. Both Dave and Andy coach the colleges’ first team squads during term time and were on hand to offer individual advice to any pupils seeking a career in the game.

The session was designed to give the pupils a realistic idea of how a Premier League club trains with Andy drawing on his experience of playing at the highest level with both Stoke City and Newcastle United. The pupils were given one to one coaching during the session and were made to feel like professional footballers. There were drills based on shooting, passing and how to beat your marker in any part of the game.

The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the session, enthusiastically taking on board what the coaches were telling them and were keen to learn and put into practice what they had be taught.

The project was designed to raise the aspirations of the year group and started with a Q&A session with Dave and Andy in school where pupils were given the opportunity to ask Andy about his career and discuss with him the importance of a good education and how vital it is to have a strong mentality in whatever career you set your sights on.

The success of the project was down to the pupils achieving better grades in the classroom and taking responsibility for their own careers by understanding whatever you do in life, it is ultimately down to you.

If you or your school are interested in receiving a training session with both Andy Griffin and Dave Beswick as part of a project at your school, please get in touch with either Gareth or Tara in the Schools Liaison Team on 01782 254347 or e-mail schools@nulc.ac.uk