Three Bolton College sports students are set to spend the summer in America and Canada after being offered coaching roles at America's biggest soccer camp, Challenger Sports.
The trio of BTEC Level 3 students will be coaching children aged six to 16 over a period of eight-and-a-half weeks. They successfully applied to the camp's coaching programme at a recruitment day in November, and will head across the pond this summer.
The students, Darrel Hayes, Jake McGill and Jamie Eckersley, will take the chance to develop their skills with American and Canadian youths during the summer camps. Darrel will be heading to San Diego, while Jake and Jamie will be placed in Ontario.
All three are currently working towards their formal coaching qualifications, and secured their places at Challenger Sports following an open day at Bolton College.
Neil Scott, Bolton College sports tutor, said: "It's really important that our football coaching students get real life, hands-on experience while they are at Bolton College. Opportunities to coach, especially abroad, are a great way for students to learn while having fun and we are all very excited for Darrel, Jake and Jamie."
The coaching course offers students a classroom approach to learning, as well as including more vocational elements to the course - something that is not available at standalone academies. This means that they are ready for employment - or self-employment - upon leaving the college, increasing their chances of gaining full-time work and a career in sport.
