A number of Higher Education students from Selby College spent the Easter break hosting a football coaching camp for local 5-13-year olds at Selby Town FC.

Following the launch of his coaching business, BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Exercise Science student Matthew Pooley held the first of his coaching camps, which aim to provide sporting activities for children in Selby.

Matthew also recruited the support of his fellow course mates Harry Kelly, Ryan Hill and Thomas Richardson to help run the programme.

Nearly 116 children from the local area attended the camp, which included activities and challenges such as a goal keeper challenge, a penalty shoot-out and a World Cup themed competition.

Matthew said: “The football coaching camp was a great success. Both the children and coaches really enjoyed themselves and it was fantastic to see so many smiling faces. The children particularly enjoyed the World Cup Challenge, which saw them battle it out on the football field to win points for their chosen nation. They even went to the effort to spray paint their hair in their teams’ colours, which was fantastic.

“I would like to say a massive thank you to Selby Town football club for letting us use their brilliant facilities and to the parents and children for their support during our first camp. I’m really looking forward to hosting more bootcamps in the May half-term break and in the near future,” said Matthew.

Thomas Richardson, added: “The football coaching camp was a really fun and pleasant few days. Especially after the year we have had due to Covid-19, it was fantastic to see the kids enjoying themselves and their football. The World Cup competition was one of the biggest highlights, as the children were so competitive and wanted to win. Being motivating and encouraging towards the children was key when carrying out the football camp, which is something I’ve learnt during my time at College and was extremely useful.”

Matthew, who is a qualified FA coach and is referee trained, set up Aspire Sports Coaching at the beginning of 2021.

“I set up my sports coaching business as a way to provide a fun, safe environment for children aged 5-13 of all abilities, allowing them to develop, grow in confidence and be the best version of themselves,” added Matthew.

Former BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Exercise Science student Sophie Dales has recently relaunched her own fitness training and massage business, The Training Field. Sophie has also supported Level 2 Gym Instructor lessons at the College and has delivered a session to degree-level sport students about a career in the sport industry.

“Our BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Exercise Science degree is designed to provide students with the key skills they need to go on to work with groups and individuals from grassroots to an elite level. It’s fantastic to see how our current and former students have developed these skills throughout their time at Selby College and have utilised them to set up their own coaching sessions and businesses. I’m extremely proud of them and more than confident that they will have every success in the sports coaching field,” said Richard Burgess, Programme Leader – Sport and Public Services at Selby College.”

To find out more about Matthew’s new Sports Coaching business, Aspire Sports Coaching, please visit: https://www.aspiresportscoachingselby.com/

Find out more about Sophie Dale’s fitness training and massage business, The Training Field, please visit: https://the-trainingfield.co.uk/

Learn more about the BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Exercise Science degree at Selby College, at: https://www.selby.ac.uk/courses/sports-coaching-and-exercise-science-bsc-hons-level-6