Football Academy students were rewarded for their hard work as Football Activators with an invite to the English Colleges Football Association (ECFA) FE Activators Conference held at Wembley Stadium, the home of football. Over the course of the academic year and in their role as Activators, the students have volunteered their time to create football activities both within the college and the local community, to encourage as many people as possible to play the sport for fun and in turn live healthier lifestyles.
Their hard work has paid off and there are now two sessions a week, held on Tuesdays and Thursdays in The Hub sports hall, with over 50 students from across the college regularly taking part.
In recognition of their efforts, the students were treated to a fun packed day at Wembley, which included speakers from the national Football Association and Association of Colleges (AoC), networking sessions with other football activators from across the country and a tour of the stadium.
Mark Howard, Sports Development Co-ordinator at Walsall College, said: “The Football Activators have worked really hard this year delivering projects, so a visit to the most iconic venue associated with English football was a great reward.
“The skills and experience the students have developed in coordinating the football sessions will be of enormous benefit when they complete their studies and enter the workplace.”
The students’ day at Wembley was captured by three Walsall College Media students who were invited to film the event by the ECFA. Following great feedback on their camera and interviewing skills, they could potentially be invited back to cover a national football conference.