David Beckham Academy Trip
On Thursday 18th June 2009 30 students from Paignton Community & Sports College attended the David Beckham Academy in Greenwich, London. This is the second trip to the academy since the college was invited to attend as a result of winning the Devon and South West award for ‘Charter Standard Sports College’ of the year, for offering football opportunities in school and the in local community, at the FA Ceremony at Exeter City FC in May 2006.
The 30 students comprise of 15 Year 7 boys and girls and 15 Year 8 boys and girls chosen as a rewards trip through attendance at football training or commitment to the team. The Year 7 boy’s team won the South Devon Area Championship this year. In total 120 students attended the day from four different schools across the country.
The programme for the day consisted of football and physical activities, the physical challenges included team development, skills development and competitive games. The day culminated in a mini world cup tournament with our students representing countries from around the world. Students adopted role play challenges such as the team nutritionist, physiotherapist, scout, team manager, sports journalist and fitness coach.
This was an amazing opportunity and a wonderful experience for all students to encourage further participation in football and participate in a day of activities based around football skills and healthy living, as well as encouraging a positive attitude to sport and exercise in general. The day offered a truly unique experience, linking physical activity with areas of citizenship, science, nutrition and leadership.
The students were put into two countries with a mix of boy’s and girls in each team from the College, representing Spain and England. Each country had a player awarded for overall play in the tournament, commitment to the team, overall attitude on the day and support to other team members. The two players awarded were Jasmine Barry and Reece Somers. Reece was also Captain of the Year 7 boy’s team who won the South Devon Championship.
After the trip to the David Beckham Academy the students and staff were buzzing with excitement:
Megan Armstrong Year 7: “Amazing, I will never forget today, I loved every minute of it! The building was very impressive and I felt honoured in the hall of fame!”
Lucy Mason Year 7: “From the beginning to the end it was amazing, to good for words! The helpers were great and really kind, I didn’t want to leave. It was a once in a lifetime experience, I will always remember! Thank you”.
Charlotte Winfield Year 8: “Oh my life! Today was absolutely BRILLIANT; words cannot describe how excellent this whole experience was. I was shocked to find myself in the building. I will never forget this day. Thank you for inviting me, can I go again?”
“It’s great to see all the hard work of the College being rewarded with a trip of this magnitude, the David Beckham Academy is one of the best trips I have ever organised” Claire Blagdon Out of Hours Co-ordinator.
“It was a fantastic opportunity to be able to provide the Year 7 football team with such awe inspiring and inspirational trip as a reward for their outstanding commitment to their football training and PE lessons throughout the year. The facilities at the David Beckham Academy are incredible, all of the pupils were a credit to themselves and the school and everyone enjoyed the experience immensely”.
Graeme Power, PE Teacher and Year 7 Football Coach.
| David Beckham Academy |
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| All pupils after the day with merchandise and certificates. |
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| Jasmine Barry and Reece Somers with medals awarded to each country for play in the tournaments overall commitment and support to other team members. |
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| Year 7 and 8 pupils from Paignton Community and Sports College outside the David Beckham Academy |
