A PARTNERSHIP between a college and junior football team has been praised for getting results on and off the pitch.

Students from Oxford and Cherwell Valley College, in Oxpens Road, Oxford, have become volunteer coaches at Summertown Stars FC in the hope of forging a career in the game.

The teenagers have worked with the junior club’s team from under-sevens to under-11s in their quest to gain FA-accredited qualifications and recently ran a successful four-day soccer course for the youngsters.

Des Buckingham, head of the college’s football development centre, said: “We’ve teamed up with the Oxfordshire FA to take all our students through the new youth coaching module.

“It’s for those that highlighted they wanted to do coaching to get some qualifications.

“It has been really good for them to work alongside Summertown’s coaches.

“It’s been a great benefit to everyone involved and we are really happy with it.”

One of the students has now applied for a coaching job at MK Dons, following his time with Summertown Stars.

Mr Buckingham added: “Five of our second-year students are doing their level two coaching course, which they have all said they wouldn’t have done if they hadn’t had the experience of coaching at Summertown.

“It’s gone better than we thought.”

During last month’s half-term, the students organised a four-day football course for the Summertown players, with coaching for four hours a day. The week culminated in a World Cup-style competition.

Summertown Stars chairman Jim White, the author and sports journalist, said: “It’s been fantastic from our point of view. The students have not only been extremely dedicated, but also fantastically enthusiastic.

“They have really helped with the younger age groups, who benefit from having coaches a bit closer to their own age.

“It has not just been the quality of the coaching, but also the way they have bought into the whole club. I hope it is something that continues into the future.”

Another soccer school for Summertown players is scheduled for Easter.

tairs@oxfordmail.co.uk