A COURSE which helped six teenagers become new trainee coaches for Oxford United has returned bigger and better for a second year.

Open days will be held this week for 16- to 18-year-old ‘Neets’ – those youngsters Not in Employment, Education or Training. The courses run from September 20.

The courses, run by Oxford Learning United on the third floor of the Kassam Stadium’s South Stand, started last year and scored an instant hit.

Centre manager Ed Duckham said: “Last year we started a new course called foundation learning. This is a 10-week course in sports and personal development aimed at 16- to 18-year-olds who have just left school, and helps to prepare them for work.

“The course was a huge success and heavily oversubscribed.

“As a result of that success we will be taking six of those students on as apprentice coaches with Oxford United. In fact, there are 10 apprentice coaches starting six-month apprenticeships with us, which is fantastic.

“Following that success we will be running the foundation learning course again, but have expanded quite dramatically.

“We want to give as many youngsters as possible the opportunity to get a head start and will be working in partnership with Banbury United to offer 15 places here at the Kassam Stadium and 10 at their Spencer Stadium.

“These are run in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council and are aimed at helping with Neets, which applies to a large number of 16- to 18-year-olds.

“It’s a great chance for those youngsters to make progress and get involved.”

The first open day takes place at the Kassam Stadium on Wednesday between 10am and 1pm, before a second one at Banbury’s Spencer Stadium on Thursday between 10am and 1pm.

Mr Duckham said: “They are open to anyone that age who thinks it would give them a greater chance of finding work in sports. The courses are very practical and hands-on and with a small group you get plenty of help and advice.”

For more information, call Mr Duckham on 01865 337524.