November 2011
Prince's Trust young people win PROBIZ Manager's Cup
Manager Dave Jones led a team of
unemployed youngsters to a gripping footballing victory at
West Bromwich Albion.
The former Cardiff manager signed up to manage one
of eight teams taking part in the event, held in partnership
with Community, Kick It Out, title sponsor PROBIZ, The Prince's
Trust and West Bromwich Albion.
Opponents included Aidy Boothroyd, Alan Curbishley, Brian Laws,
Peter Reid, Paul Simpson, Gordon Strachan and Walter Smith, who
each managed a 6 a-side team of 16 - 25 year olds on a Prince's
Trust Football Initiative programme.
Winning manager Dave Jones said:
I think they were absolutely superb. They fully
deserved their victory and they should be very proud of themselves.
The biggest thing is that they all said together that they achieved
this by working as a team.
The players, who are based in the Midlands, are currently
completing Prince's Trust programmes, gaining key work place skills
such as confidence, motivation, communication and teamwork. This
tournament gave participants a massive boost in all of these areas
as well as giving them an insight into the professional lives of
football stars.
LMA Committee Member Alan Curbishley added: “If you come and see
the kids involved you realise we are quite privileged and it’s an
opportunity for us to give something back. I think the boys and
girls who took part really appreciated that we were there. For me I
think if we give them a bit of a lift and point them in the right
direction, then it’s great for everyone.”
HRH The Prince of Wales launched The Prince's Trust Football
Initiative at Old Trafford in September 1997. Funded by the Premier
League and Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) it has
helped more than 18,000 young people through Prince’s Trust
programmes.