DofE success through sports leadership

This summer, Football League Trust staff have been enjoying the great outdoors as they undertake the Sports Leaders UK Level 2 Award in Basic Expedition Leadership*. The Level 2 Award in Basic Expedition Leadership* is the minimum qualification required by many local authorities and operating authorities of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, to train and lead groups in the expedition section of the bronze and silver awards. Football clubs, including Brentford, Brighton and Hove Albion, Hartlepool United, Rotherham United and Scunthorpe United, recently completed the training, which teaches candidates how to plan, prepare for and supervise an expedition in open countryside and train others to undertake such expeditions. The training involved instructing others, outdoor learning activities, a day in dense fog practicing navigation and a 20km walk in bad weather. Anne Newcombe, Director of The DofE East Region said: “The benefits of the Sports Leaders UK course are obvious, not only will it save the clubs money, by enabling them to lead their own expeditions, but it has also helped staff to develop their skills in navigation, fitness, methods of instruction and networking.” Keith Nobbs, Hartlepool United Development Officer and ‘boil in the bag’ food fanatic said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the Level 2 Award in Basic Expedition Leadership*, and I think it will make a big difference to the way we deliver expeditions to our participants. *On 1 September 2010 all Sports Leaders UK qualifications will move from the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) to the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). As part of this move the Level 2 Award in Basic Expedition Leadership will change to the Level 3 Certificate in Basic Expedition Leadership. Notes to Editor Sports Leaders UK is a charity delivering nationally recognised sports leadership awards and qualifications to more than 200,000 candidates a year. Sports Leaders UK acts as an Awarding Body providing nationally recognised qualifications through 4,000 schools, colleges, local authorities, prisons, young offender units and community organisations.