Over the past Nine weeks a scheme called Coaching for Life has been running at Rushden and Diamonds. Connexions and Rushden & Diamonds joined together in a unique project aimed at young people who are unemployed in the local area aged 16-19 and wish to make a positive contribution as well as keeping fit.

Coaching for Life gives young people the opportunity to use the established "Playing for Success" programme at the Rushden & Diamonds Study Centre, which includes basic numeracy, literacy and ICT skills as well as raising self esteem and confidence building. Young people also have the opportunity to work on life skills, working with others, problem solving as well as job searching and CV writing, a first aid certificate will also be gained.

After the hard work in the study centre young people are coached by professional coaches from Rushden & Diamonds in order to improve football skills such as shooting, passing and heading to name a few.

The last week was on the 4^th February with young people voting for best sportsman and most improved player. The final presentation for the project is on the 9^th February with young people watching the Halifax game as well as being presented with certificates for their hard work and commitment.

The lads are shown around the stadium

Helen Thompson, Chief Executive at Rushden & Diamonds said, "We would like to thank Paul White from Connexions and Northants County Council for their help with this course. It is great that people have had the opportunity to come and work in our state of the art Study Centre located in the Diamonds Sports Complex and follow this up with some practical ideas and suggestions. We have some fantastic facilities here - in fact, I often think that this is one of the best-kept secrets in East Northamptonshire. Come and see what there is on offer! You will be amazed!!"

Paul White from Connexions Northamptonshire said "Some of the young people are now looking to move on to their F.A. Level One Coaching Badge, a great reflection on the coaching, study centre and Football Club's approach to this. We would like to thank Rob Jones from the Study Centre, Steve Bampfield from R&D Coaching and Helen Thomson from the Club for their continued support over the last weeks, with further projects being proposed in future."

The stadium tour continues