Sports coaching company looks to the future

Formed seven years ago, Crossbar delivers sport across the curriculum in many county schools, also organising school competitions. It has now teamed up with Creative Sport & Leisure, a national company specialising in apprenticeships.

Crossbar director Gavin Cowan said he is offering up to 20 places for 16 to 18-year-olds on a new 12-week pre-apprenticeship programme, starting in July.

Successful applicants will then have the chance to secure a place as a full time Crossbar PE & School Sport apprentice, from September, which offers the potential to earn up to £150 per week.

Mr Cowan, a former professional footballer with Shrewsbury Town and AFC Telford, said: "We run with between four and six apprentices a year at the moment, but the dream has always been to have an apprentice with everyone of our coaches working within local schools.

"It will enhance the quality of the delivery and give 16 to 18-year-olds the chance to come along and have a taste of sports development and gain some qualifications.

"We're very excited to be offering this opportunity. There's a lot of apprenticeships that just offer a chance to get qualifications with no real end goal, but this has a clear pathway."

He added: "The pre-apprenticeship programme will run for 12 weeks and offers a multi-skills level 2 qualification and a PE in school sport level 2 qualification. We're opening it up for 20 youngsters to come on board with the opportunity to be offered a full time apprenticeship completing a PE in school sport level 3 working in schools, a one-year programme.

"The goal for the 20 youngsters who enter the programme is to be one of the 16 that we then employ as full time apprentices – but we would be happy to take on all 20 should they be of the standard expected."