Felixstowe: National award for sport coach trainee
Adam French from Felixstowe with his Sportivate award at the House of Commons. - Credit: Archant
A Suffolk man has won a national award and gained a job after taking part in a course teaching the foundations needed to become a professional sports coach.
Adam French, from Felixstowe, was presented with the award for National Sportivate Participant of the Year by Sport England at the House of Commons after his participation in the Be Inspired project.
The scheme is a partnership between Suffolk Sport, Felixstowe Job Centre Plus and Suffolk Coastal council to support people aged 19 to 24 who are not in employment, education or training.
Mr French completed the pilot leadership and fitness programme, volunteering at various sports clubs in the town, and subsequently gained a job at Brackenbury Sport Centre, Felixstowe.
He said: “I have always had an interest in sport but didn’t have the opportunity to play.
“This course gave me the chance to develop my knowledge, skills and confidence in sport, which has directly helped me to find a job.”
Geoff Holdcroft, cabinet member for leisure and economic development, praised the efforts of those involved in the project.
Most Read
- 1 Unclaimed £83k winning EuroMillions lottery ticket was bought in Suffolk
- 2 Suffolk glamp site 'perfect for romantic retreats' named among best in UK
- 3 Long-running BBC One show to be filmed in Suffolk church
- 4 Greater Anglia warns of further severe disruptions as more strikes planned
- 5 Police concerned for welfare of missing Suffolk man last seen two weeks ago
- 6 Woman who stole £24k from school and football club to face sentence
- 7 Former town council manager named as woman who died in A11 crash
- 8 A14 closed after crash involving lorry and car
- 9 Revealed: Where house prices are rising fastest in Suffolk
- 10 ‘I think we sell one of the best Sunday roasts in Suffolk,’ says landlord
He said: “It is great to boost the prospects for young people that are struggling to find a break and encouraging them to achieve, whether it’s finding them a job or gaining qualifications, and sport is a great way to raise their spirits.
“Suffolk Coastal are very proud to be involved in the partnership and we are delighted for Adam and his much deserved award.
“He’ll be a great example of why this works for years to come.”
Sportivate, delivered locally by Suffolk Sport is a Sport England National Lottery funded project inspired by London’s 2012 Olympics aiming to help young people ignite a passion within themselves for sport.
It was launched in June 2011 as a four-year programme however, due to its success, additional funding of £10m per year has been invested allowing the programme to run until March 2017.
It doesn’t end here for Mr French either as he is now hoping to continue building his coaching qualifications and gain even more experience by carrying on volunteering at venues, centres and local events, in particular the Sainsbury’s Suffolk School Games soon to take place.
