Fulneck School in Pudsey has kicked off a new football programme in partnership with former Bradford City player Nathan Clarke.
The school has secured the services of centre half Clarke, who played more then 500 times for Bradford and Huddersfield Town and also holds the FA Level 2 and UEFA B youth football coaching modules.
He will team up with the school’s PE staff three days a week to deliver the programme across all age groups and abilities. It is part of the school’s ‘Sport for all’ ethos which aims to encourage more pupils to take part in team sports. He said:
“I’m really excited about this opportunity to help move the standard of football forward at Fulneck and to get more young people involved in the game, regardless of their ability.”
To celebrate the launch of the football programme Clarke was joined by Burnley and England star James Tarkowski who together delivered a series of training masterclasses.
Fulneck School Principal Paul Taylor said:
“The evidence that physical health impacts positively on mental well-being is now overwhelming, especially when the exercise takes place within a team context.
“Whether our pupils go on to play professionally, or for their local team, encouraging a love of sport is central to the mission of Fulneck School.”
Meanwhile, former Fulneck pupil Lewis Cunningham has recently signed a first year scholarship with Doncaster Rovers.
For more information about Fulneck School’s football programme, or the sports scholarships available at Fulneck, please contact Deborah Ward on 0113 257 0235, or by e-mail at djw@fulneckschool.co.uk.