Gateshead FC steps in to provide training sessions to youngsters of scrapped football academy
A programme at a school in Dunston is set to be axed from July
Gateshead FC have stepped in to offer training to young people affected by the upcoming closure of a local school’s football academy.
Kingsmeadow School, in Dunston, offered a football programme delivered by Evolution Football Coaching.
On its website the school said the scheme, which lasts for five years with an additional two offered at sixth form, allows children to enjoy a “challenging professionally ran football programme.”
This programme, which makes of part of the curriculum for those taking part, also gives pupils the opportunity to train abroad at international camps.
But the scheme is set to be axed from July, with parents saying this decision was made with no warning or explanation.
One parent said the youngsters enrolled on the programme were “devastated” by the move.
Gateshead FC have offered pupils affected by the decision 10 weekly training sessions.
The first session was on Friday and Neil Pinkerton, club chairman, said that more than 30 youngsters have taken up the offer.
He said:
“It will give them something to look forward to. Over the next 10 weeks we will deliver a session for all the interested children – completely on us.
“We offered them the training session for the benefit of them and the community.
“We have got our own academy but local parents were telling us about the issues going on so we put on the free sessions.”
Mr Pinkerton said that the clubs coaches would be training the youngsters and they would have the opportunity to meet players from the professional side.
He said:
“For the next 10 weeks they will be trained by our coaches and interacting with our first team who are the only professional team in the borough.
“There is no obligation and nothing behind it. The children have all got recreational teams so we asked them to pick a time that doesn’t impact on that.”
Mr Pinkerton said that the club has also contacted the school and the sessions won’t impact the pupils’ education.
He added:
“It doesn’t impact on their school time and we have offered to help the school as well – they know that we’re there.
“I hope that they enjoy it and make the most of it.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for and for us to get ourselves out there and make some kids happy.”
A Gateshead Council spokeswoman previously said that complaints made about the scrapping of the Evolution Football Academy are under investigation.