Students perform at Theatre of Dreams

WARRINGTON students got the chance to perform on one of the world’s biggest footballing stages thanks to a pioneering partnership with Manchester United.
Students from Warrington Collegiate, studying BTEC Level 3 Football Excellence with Manchester United Soccer School, Development through Coaching, demonstrated some of the skills gained on the course, during a special appearance at United’s “Theatre of Dreams”.
As United left the pitch at half time the students came on to enthusiastic applause to demonstrate excellent passing moves, some outstanding dribbling as well as coaching skills.
Mike Walsh, Lecturer for Sport at Warrington Collegiate and Coach at Manchester United Soccer Schools said, “The course, a first for Manchester United Soccer School (MUSS) and Warrington Collegiate, working in partnership, is for students who are interested in pursuing a sports coaching career. The students are taught using the coaching principles used by Manchester United. The quality of the skill displayed by the students is extremely high. These students will be the first to qualify on the new course and will have brilliant futures ahead of them whether it is in coaching nationally or internationally or progressing on to university.”
Ben Graham, aged 16 from Orford, said, “It was a breath taking experience playing on the pitch in front of the 60,000 strong crowd. The course has been fast paced and demanding since we started in September. We have already gained the FA Level 1 Football Coaching Award which I am using coaching with Fife Rangers under 15’s. I already feel I’ve got a great future ahead of me in football coaching.
Luke Pollock, 17 from Orford, added, “The great thing about this course is that not only do you gain some fantastic coaching skills and knowledge used by one of the top teams in the premier league but you also develop as a player. After the course I plan to work for MUSS then carry on to university to progress further in my coaching career”.
Jamie Livesey, aged 16, from Orford, spoke for most of the students saying,” It was a boyhood dream of mine to be on the pitch at Old Trafford during the game as I have been a fan all my life and have a season ticket.”
Graham Murphy, Curriculum Manager for Sport at Warrington Collegiate concluded, “The students are based at our fabulous new sports facilities at Orford Jubilee Park
including state of the art fitness testing equipment and brand new 3G football pitches. The course has been so successful that we have plans to expand for next September and are looking for students keen to develop their coaching skills, as well as gain a qualification associated with one of the most well known names in the game. The current students have plans to progress to University or go straight into employment in the coaching industry, some with the world famous Manchester United Soccer Schools.
Students interested in the new course can come along to a taster and information session at the Collegiate’s new sports facilities at Orford Jubilee Park on Monday, January 21 at 6.30-8pm. Further details are available from Mike Walsh, Course Leader at Warrington Collegiate. Mike can be contacted at [email protected] or by calling Learner Services on 01925 494494.