A CROP of new sports coaches will be developed in Clevedon after its secondary school joined forces with two local firms to offer an innovative new traineeship.

Future Stars Coaching, run by former Clevedon School pupil Ben Hazeldine, and Bristol-based, 2nd Chance, will work together to offer 18 young people from across North Somerset the chance to become highly-qualified sports coaches.

Now, anyone aged from 16-24 interested in taking part can apply for a place on the Coach Makers Programme which begins at Clevedon School in September.

The traineeship features an intense learning program alongside four separate work placements during which the students can put their skills into practice.

By the end of the course each student will have gained 10 separate qualifications all recognised by the wider industry and it is hoped some can go on to work with the companies they have completed placements with.

Ben Hazeldine, who is also hoping to employ a number of the students once they have completed the course, said: “We are thrilled to be part of this traineeship and are excited about the new coaching talent coming through.

“We want to recruit new coaches but need people with the right qualifications.

“Clevedon School has really got on board with it. The school was also an obvious choice of partner as 10 of our staff members are former pupils and so wanted to do this as a way to give back.

“We have got the funding to pay for it all – if someone had to pay to get these qualifications elsewhere it would cost more than £1,000 per person.”

Future Stars Coaching was set up by Ben in 2009 and now works with more than 20,000 young athletes each year providing lunchtime, afterschool and holiday sessions for those keen to improve their sporting skills.

It works with schools across the South West and has recently opened another office in Cornwall. This traineeship is its latest venture as it continues to grow the amount of support it also offers to those hoping to work in the sporting world.

n For details on how to apply for the traineeship email info@2ndchanceproject.co.uk or call 01179 039772.