Playing for Success Children's University Celebration

Girls from BGHS whom I presented certificates to at the Children's University Graduation

Today was the graduation event for the Playing for Success scheme which runs at the five sports clubs' study centres in Kirklees. These are the three professional rugby clubs, the Giants, the Rams and the Bulldogs, Huddersfield Town Football Club and The LongbridgeTennis Centre.

The study centres work with children who are referred because they lack motivation at school and are low-achievers in the usual learning environment. However they do work well in the sports club environment, close to their sporting heroes and the evidence is clear that attainment and aspiration is significantly raised.

Some children at each centre, work on achieving a qualification from the University of Huddersfield and this was their big celebration. I could see the children's parents and families were proud of them. There was a group from Batley Girls' High School and I felt proud that young people from my community had achieved so much.

It is important that they recognize their progress and take pride in their accomplishments. My advice is share your achievements with others. Why not brag about it!

I hope that the recognition and support of their families will spur them on to greater things and that this will be the first step in a long journey to even more success.

Well done everyone and well done to Playing for Success!