On the right course
xl club members learn of career opportunities
in racing.
The Trust’s partnership with the British Horseracing Authority
(BHA) is proving a real inspiration to young people. The latest
‘Racing Experience Day’ was held at Newmarket with xl club members
from Westbourne Sports College in Ipswich.
The BHA is working closely with the charity’s xl clubs, helping
students aged 14-16 who are at risk of exclusion or underachieving.
The aim is to show young people the variety of career
opportunities
that exist within the horse racing industry. Westbourne College
xl students enjoyed VIP access to Newmarket, sitting in on a press
conference, being weighed-in like jockeys, and learning about
career opportunities from Zoe Elliot, BHA Industry Recruitment and
Training Consultant. They were also treated to a visit from top
jockey and Trust Ambassador Richard Kingscote who was more than
happy to answer their questions. “It’s great to be involved in a
day like this,” said Richard. “I’m very pleased that The Trust is
working closely with the BHA to give young people an insight into
what we do. I left school with no qualifications but I had the
determination to succeed in this sport. I hope that they see how
enjoyable it is to be involved with racing and if some of them now
think of a career in the sport it’s a bonus.”
One young person inspired by the day was Amelia Jayne Gibbons,
14, who has just started the xl programme. “I’ve made loads of
friends through xl and the tutors are really good,” she explained.
“The classes allow us to learn at our own pace and not get chucked
in at the deep end. It means we don’t have to feel stupid for
putting our hands up every time we don’t understand something. It
also means we get to come to places like this.”
When Amelia Jayne was seven she moved with her mum to Spain,
having to leave her friends, family and school behind. “I couldn’t
learn the language and was bullied and laughed at,” she said. “My
mum decided it was best for me to go back home to England and live
with my nan. My mum continues to work and live in Spain, which I
know is hard for her and upsetting for me but at least I get great
holidays!
I enjoy school so much more now and actually
feel like I’m working towards getting some good grades at GCSE. xl
is a great course which gives you more realistic opportunities than
other classes.