Student soccer coaches aim for the big time

SOCCER coaching students from Warrington Collegiate are celebrating after gaining paid employment at Manchester United Soccer Schools – a big achievement for a young football coach hoping to break into the big time.
They have graduated from the BTEC Level 3 football excellence development through coaching course run by the college and Manchester United Soccer Schools.
The students have all enjoyed holiday jobs in the UK and abroad with MUSS, including Denmark, Scandinavia and Italy, before progressing onto employment in the football industry or university next month.
John Dyke, lecturer in Sport at Warrington Collegiate said: “These first graduates have set a very high standard of success. The course, which is equivalent to three A levels, enables the students to be both job ready and prepared for university when they leave us, with the drive and motivation to reach the top in a very competitive industry.
“This first course was launched two years ago. Since then we have expanded into Northern Ireland as the reputation of the course has grown and the quality of the student experience has resulted in high grades and top class coaching experience.”
Jamie Livesey, aged 18 from Padgate has enjoyed international paid work in Italy, Norway and Demark as well as the UK, working on the residential program at Denstone College, Staffordshire. He was also chosen as the Outstanding Student of the Year at this year’s Warrington Collegiate FE Awards Ceremony.
He is heading off to study at Preston University and is delighted with his success on the course. He said: ”Warrington Collegiate and MUSS provides a great student and coaching experience. It has given me the confidence and the best possible start to my career as a professional coach.”
Ben Graham, 18 from Fearnhead enjoyed working in both Italy and the UK, working on the residential programmes at Bradfield and Denstone colleges. As a result of his achievement on the course and extensive coaching experience he has gained employment with a local community coaching company. Ben is delighted, saying, “Warrington Collegiate and MUSS have given me the opportunity to travel and work in England and abroad which has been a great experience for me as a person and support my development as a coach.”
Jacques Ainsworth, 22, is planning to continue his studies at the University of Central Lancashire. He is equally enthusiastic about the qualification and the coaching opportunities it provides.
He said: “After completing the course at Warrington Collegiate I now have the honour of working alongside the best team and coaches in the world.”