Well done to young Islander, Ben Yates. This in from the council. Ed
An Island teenager is one step closer to realising his dream of becoming a professional football coach after beating hundreds of others to be awarded a coaching scholarship with the Football Association.
Ben Yates, who is also the Chair of the Isle of Wight Youth Council, is the only person from the Isle of Wight to be selected for the FA’s National Coaching and Mentoring Programme for Young People.
Support from Sports Unit
He has been supported by Isle of Wight Council’s Sports Unit since 2008, which funded Ben’s Level 1 Coaching qualification course and also put him forward for a regional coaching camp run by the FA earlier this year. It was after this camp, which was attended by over 100 other youngsters, that he was told he was one of the lucky few to be given a scholarship.
Ben, who is 17 and currently coaches Shanklin Girls, has since attended a training day at Wembley Stadium and has been given his own personal tutor for the next year who will help him achieve his Level 2 coaching badge.
Ben said “It was very exciting to be selected for the FA scholarship and already I have learnt a great deal. I enjoy coaching and one day I would love to become a professional coach with a top football club.
“The council’s Sports Unit has played a major part because if they hadn’t helped me to get my Level 1 coaching badge, I wouldn’t be where I am now.
“To go to places like Wembley Stadium was an incredible experience and the next year is going to be very exciting for me”
Dedication leads to results
Lee Matthews, Isle of Wight Council Community Leisure Development Manager said anyone can emulate Ben if they have the dedication. He said “The sports unit has been working with Ben for the last two years and helped him achieve his Level 1 badge, which is the first step to becoming a fully qualified coach.
“Since then, he has shown his talent and he fully deserves his scholarship with the FA. The council is very keen on helping develop local sporting talent and if anyone wants help and advice on how to develop their sport, I would encourage them to get in touch with us.”
IW Council’s Sports Unit can be contacted via the council’s call centre, by calling (01983) 821000 or by emailing [email protected]
