As you might expect it’s been a busy time for the Progression Team since the summer but that’s exactly why we’re here.
Available all year round, the Progression Team has been busily working to ensure that opportunities and support is available to all current and ex Apprentices and we are proud to say that whatever your situation, our unique service is on hand to make a real difference and help you take the next step.
You may not be thinking beyond the end of your playing contract but it would be foolish to overlook the work that has already taken place in this area or not consider the Progression offerings already in the pipeline for late 2009 and well into 2010.
The story so far…
Our Progression Partners have been keen to snap up the services of a number of former Apprentices following Progression 09 ‘The Careers Events’ held in Sheffield and Reading.
Chris Fower’s (Ex-Oxford United) 2009-10 season will now be spent on the impressive Hartpury College campus where he is taking advantage of the combination of outstanding sports facilities, good grade football and a University education.
Ciaron Barton (Ex-Preston North End, pictured below) moved quickly to top up his BTEC qualification within the ASE framework to take his place on Physiotherapy (BSc) at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU).
Jo Harris (Ex Swansea City) has been even busier engaging with no less than three of LFE’s Progression Partners. Having acquired a gym qualification with Lifetime, the Solihull based youngster subsequently stepped into employment with Fitness First and he now has even greater goals on his radar as he attempts to combine his efforts as a goalkeeper in the Blue Square South with the challenge of becoming an Olympian via Pitch2Podium.
Currently awaiting the results from phase two testing at GB Cycling headquarters – The Velodrome, Harris will hope he has shown he has the potential to join the likes of Hoy, Wiggins, Cavendish and company! LFE will be keeping an eye out for his progress and will of course report back.
Joe Conkleton (Ex-Doncaster Rovers) is another to benefit from the myriad of associations that LFE continues to build. Conkleton has gone state-side after being offered a scholarship by Barry University, Miami but was aided in no small measure by E-Scout and the footage they shot and analysed of the Assessment Trials.
This provided Head Coach Steve McCrath with the chance to assess Conkleton in action despite not being present on the night. E-Scout will be collecting footage throughout the season to offer an even wider range of analysed material to scouts across the world as LFE seek to pave the way for Apprentices to maximise their opportunities.
The Assessment Trials also saw Billy McKenna (Ex-Blackpool) find his way up the road to Scottish Premier League Club Heart of Midlothian. Hearts scout, John Murray, registered official interest in McKenna at the trials with LFE ensuring the official exchange of contact details. The rest as they say is history and we wish Billy every success north of the border.
