Newcastle United forward Siem de Jong has made a special visit to a Prince’s Trust project which is helping unemployed local people to become the next generation of sports coaches.
The Netherlands international, who was named the most socially conscious player in the Dutch Eredivisie in 2013, joined participants aged 16-24 at Gateshead Redheugh FC for a session of the ‘Get Started’ programme, which is being delivered by the Newcastle United Foundation.
Get Started aims to develop the coaching skills of participants who are unemployed or not in formal training or education.
Sessions are taken by professional coaches from the Foundation and are dedicated to teaching safe football training for children. Participants also gain a Sports Leaders qualification and Emergency First Aid to add to their CV.
All participants who complete the course receive three months support from the Prince’s Trust to help them move into education, training or employment.
Steve Mack, youth and community project manager at Newcastle United Foundation, said: “This group has worked really hard, putting in lots of effort and showing plenty of commitment.
“It’s fantastic that Siem has been able to come along and see first hand the work we’re doing with the support of the Prince’s Trust to support the development of young people in our community.”
To find out more about the Newcastle United Foundation, please visit www.nufoundation.org.uk.
Watford tickets on sale. Adults from £30 and juniors from £15. Call 0844 372 1892 or visit www.nufc.co.uk