A VOLUNTEER has secured a nationally recognised coaching qualification after helping out with Warrington Town FC’s community programme.
Latchford born Stuart Waldron has been volunteering as a community coach for Warrington Town FC working in a number of primary schools and helping out during the half term multi-sport camps run at their Abacus Solicitors’ Community Stadium home.
Working alongside the club’s development officer James Standing, the 37 year-old has put in hours of hard work and has reaped the rewards by completing an FA Coaching qualification held recently at Orford Jubilee Park.
Waldron said: “The club has shown faith in me over the past few months giving me the opportunity to work with them and putting me forward for this qualification which is going to help me as a coach in the long term.”
Stuart is a former player with Warrington Town and Northwich Victoria and now represents Moore United Vets team on a Sunday. He said promoting the club and changing children’s lives were at the forefront of his mind when he asked to get on board.
“Warrington Town are my local team and I was born within yards of the ground. When I saw what the club was doing in the community, it seemed a good thing to get involved in” Waldron said. “Myself and James currently coach around 150 kids per week and have 40 kids every half term on the multi-sport camps. This town has a lot of footballing talent which we are discovering and hopefully will progress to play at a higher level, maybe even with Warrington Town.”
Warrington Town FC’s community programme has been up and running since January and has been backed by water giants United Utilities, who are the club’s community partner.
Former Leigh RMI footballer Standing has been heading up the project and said: “Our community work just keeps on growing and it is something that is going to benefit the town as a whole. Football is massive in Warrington and the number of children registered on our databases show that. Since January we have worked with over 3,000 children from across the borough. It’s a huge achievement.”
Commenting on the award, Standing said “Stuart was a good coach before he joined us, we have just helped him realise his potential. Now he wants to progress and do further badges not just in football, but in other sports too. He is great to work with and the children enjoy the sessions he puts on for them which are fun but educational.”
The club are currently working with a number of local primary schools delivering after school provisions while also hosting multi-sport camps during half term, children’s birthday parties and run a Saturday Soccer development centre for kids aged 4-12 years.
To find out more about the work they do in the community contact James on 07714571452 or email [email protected]
Pictures show Stuart Waldron (right) with community development officer James Standing (left) and Stuart taking one of his educational sessions.
