WITH the World Cup just weeks away, Year 11 students from Freman College, in Buntingford, organised a football festival for first school pupils. The event at Roman Way First School, Royston, was part of the students Junior Sports Leadership Award (JSLA) i

WITH the World Cup just weeks away, Year 11 students from Freman College, in Buntingford, organised a football festival for first school pupils.

The event at Roman Way First School, Royston, was part of the students Junior Sports Leadership Award (JSLA) in which they had to plan a football coaching session for youngsters.

Pupils from Roman Way, Reed, Studlands Rise and Tannery Drift schools attended.

The award requires students to complete a training course based on sports leadership skills, such as communication, planning, fair play and health and fitness in sports and recreation.

It also involves students going out and implementing their new skills in a coaching environment.

The session consisted of a series of basic coaching exercises, and the day ended with pupils putting what they had learned into practice by taking part in a mini-football tournament.

Andy Wilson, head of PE at Freman College, said: "I was really pleased with the standard of coaching, and planning was also extremely good. They put a lot of effort into it and it showed. The pupils that took part enjoyed themselves and the rapport between the children and our students was encouraging for the schools partnership.

"We are looking to develop sport and PE within the schools in the area. Projects like this are so beneficial to the community as it helps build links within the sports partnership," he said.

The North East Herts school partnership covers 24 schools in the Buntingford and Royston area and supports the development of PE and sports in schools and encourages them to work together.

Jan Wood, North East Herts Sports Partnership development manager, said: "The aim of the Sports Partnership is to provide provision and support to schools across the county.

"Meridian School and Freman College have been working closely with a lot of the schools in the area and are helping to forge important links.

"It is all about ensuring that schools deliver high quality physical education.

"The football festival is just part of a bigger picture that will continue to support local sport and create opportunities," she said.