The Diamonds Study Centre held its Presentation Evening on Friday July 10th to celebrate the end of the Summer Term of “Playing for Success” sessions at the centre. The sessions have been run in the evenings, at the Study Centre based at Rushden and Diamonds Football Club, as part of a national government initiative which aims to improve the student’s standards in Numeracy, Literacy and Information Technology as well as to boost their confidence and self-esteem through the medium of “sports related” activities. The scheme involves a partnership between the Department for Children, Schools and Families, Northamptonshire County Council and the football club and is geared towards Year 5 and Year 8 students. There are currently 161 centres, representing nineteen different sports, based at professional sports clubs across the country.

The Presentation Evening for the Diamonds Study Centre was held in the Vice President  Suite at Rushden and Diamonds Football Club and the room was full to capacity as relatives and teachers watched the youngsters, aged between 9 and 14 years, being presented with their certificates by Rushden & Diamonds first team players Sam Smith and Jake Beecroft.

The schools involved in the scheme this term have all come from the Kettering area namely from Southfield School for Girls, Latimer and Montagu Secondary Schools in addition to the younger students from Greenfields, Grange and Avondale Junior Schools.

Study Centre Manager Rob Jones said, “The Presentation Evening was a nice occasion for all concerned and it was pleasing to hear some of the young people talking to their teachers and families about their achievements during the course of the term. It was also particularly pleasing to see two players, who were brought up in the local area and products of the clubs academy, presenting the certificates. The youngsters have been a credit to their families and their schools and the tremendous turnout reflected the high regard shown for the Playing for Success initiative. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the teachers and parents for their assistance this term and to commend Rushden and Diamonds Football Club for its involvement with the local community and the continuing support which it has given to the Study Centre during this academic term.”