September 2021 will see a new and exciting initiative launched here on the island. LLS and the Steven Gerrard Academy are regarded as being UK leaders in the delivery of full-time post-16 sports and football programmes, collectively they are offering potentially life-changing opportunities to local males and females.
Following more than a decade of success in the UK and more recently the Middle East, it became apparent that students from the Canary Islands had to move overseas to access BTEC Sports qualifications and the companies decided it was time to fix this barrier to access.
Tenerife Top Training will play host to this innovative education programme and not only will students be developing their knowledge and practical ability in a world-class setting, but they will take their learning ‘live’ by volunteering in schools and sports clubs in the local community too.
With an established professional network of universities, clubs, employers and official ambassadors around the world, there will be no shortage of opportunities for students on the island, as demonstrated in recent weeks when some local Tenerife based recruits had the opportunity to join an exclusive online question and answer session with football legend and current Rangers F.C. manager, Steven Gerrard.
Understandably, there have been a lot of applications to secure places for September 2021. However, due to the impact Covid-19 has had on the local economy, LLS and the Steven Gerrard Academy have decided to ‘kick-start’ an ‘Aspirations Fund’ which will afford families who need extra support, the opportunity to access subsidised tuition fees, free kit, sponsorship towards international trips and free tuition if English is their second language.
A target of raising a further 10,000 euros has been set and a fund-raising strategy is now in motion. In the months ahead, people will be given the opportunity to access virtual question and answer sessions with professionals from the world of elite sport whilst charity sports events and social media competitions will be ongoing.
LLS and the Steven Gerrard Academy are seeking support for their 'Pass the Ball’ (Pasar el Balon) project in order to reach this target. It is hoped that businesses and commercial partners will donate towards the aspirations fund before ‘passing the ball’ on to another local business or commercial partner. By working together the companies hope to hit their fund-raising goal before September 2021 and collectively will be able to have a positive impact on the futures of many local Tenerife youngsters.
To learn more about this exciting programme or to offer your support, contact Tenerife based strategic lead Jason Smith:
- via email: js@stevengerrardacademy.com
- or follow: @stevengerrard.academy and @LLSonline on social media.
