07 December, 2009
Ashley Cole Quizzed
Press Release: London, Thursday 3rd December
A group of 3 young unemployed people from across London, who have received coaching qualification bursaries from the England football team, today came face to face with Ashley Cole, to thank him and his team-mates for their interest and involvement in their lives.
Following the players’ decision to set up their own charitable trust - the Team England Footballers Charity – each member of the squad donates their match fees to support chosen charity partners. The players also joined forces with Sport England to set up their own Outreach Programme, a nationwide initiative to improve opportunities for disadvantaged children and young adults.
As part of the Outreach Programme the players contacted The Prince’s Trust earlier this year to offer funding to provide more than 60 young people from across the country the opportunity to achieve FA Level 1 and FA Level 2 coaching qualifications in an effort to better their employment opportunities.
Some of those who have achieved coaching qualifications were invited to quiz Ashley about being a professional footballer in the hope that it will further boost their confidence and motivation to move into something positive during a particularly difficult period of transition in their lives.
Ashley said: “It’s great to see first hand how our match fees are having a positive impact on the lives of others. It is important that there are opportunities for young people to benefit through football; it is a game that has so much to offer in terms of career opportunities. I’ve really enjoyed chatting to the young people I’ve met today and I wish them every success for the future.”
Nick Smith, Head of Sport Development for The Prince’s Trust commented: “Football is a great motivator and can develop a lot of skills which you can use in the work place so it’s great the Team England Footballers Charity can work with organisations like The Prince’s Trust to help young people improve their lives.”
Thomas Godfrey, Sport England’s Commercial Director, added:
“Being involved with sport can have a hugely positive impact on people’s lives - whatever their background or sporting ability. We are working with the Team England Footballers Charity because it’s programmes such as this which can motivate young people into improving their lives.”
The TEFC is also using the players’ investment and time to support chosen charity partners including Children’s Hospices UK; WellChild; the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK and the Professional Footballers Association Charity Initiatives.