Argyle Community Trust
THE journey taken by Tom McHale and Ben Cross is a clear example of the professional opportunities available for graduates on the Football Education programme at Plymouth Argyle.
Both are now working as coaches at Argyle Community Trust, while pursuing careers in football, with Tom signed on as a goalkeeper at National League South outfit Truro City and Ben competing in the Peninsula League with Tavistock.
“We attended Torpoint Community College before joining education programme at Plymouth Argyle and have now progressed to become apprentice coaches at Argyle Community Trust,” said Tom and Ben.
“We earned a BTEC Level 3 in Sports Coaching and Development through the programme. The plan is to keep developing as footballers and coaches.
“The Trust has given us an opportunity to work as community coaches, delivering sessions to primary school children and helping the next generation grow to love the game.
“It is fantastic to be providing the sort of coaching we perhaps didn’t receive at that age because the Trust has grown so far in recent years. It’s a very enjoyable profession and given us a clear future.
“When we joined the education programme after leaving school, it was about joining a football course with our mates but we now have a career plan, and options to progress in professional sport.”
To find out more about the Football Education programme at Plymouth Argyle, please contact Lead Tutor Lee Britchford on 01752 562561 ext.4 or email lee.britchford@pafc.co.uk
