TCAT BTEC L3 – Wolves Routes with Costa and Cavaleiro
Portuguese duo, Ivan Cavaleiro and Heler Costa partook in a question and answer session followed by a football friendly with the BTEC Level 3 students from Telford College of Arts and Technology.
The students were given the opportunity to ask Cavaleiro and Costa whether they are enjoying playing for an English team, and how they have transitioned with living on their own in a new country. As well as the opportunity to question the pros, the players were extremely keen to understand how the BTEC programme runs, and what the course entails.
After the Q&A session, the students played with Costa and Cavaleiro, and the heat was on for both players’ teams to be the best. After a competitive yet friendly game, Costa’s team were crowned with the glory.
The Level 3 BTEC course is partnered with Wolverhampton Wanderers Foundation, also known as the ‘Wolves Route’, and continues to encourage students in and around Telford to aspire to receive high level education with learners gaining the opportunity to train in and wear the famous old gold Wolves crest as they play each week, representing both the college and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Havergal School – World Book Day with John Ruddy and Will Norris
As a World Book Day incentive Wolverhampton Wanderers Foundation invited goal keeping legends John Ruddy and Will Norris to award a special student with a World Book Day certificate and tickets to Wolves against Brighton.
Ruddy and Norris took great pride in awarding James Clayton, the chosen winner with match day tickets and a certificate during a surprise school assembly. The winner and his fellow primary school friends were delighted with the award, and appauled James as he personally met the players and was given the chance to ask the players a couple of questions.
On 20th April 2019, James will be presented at the Molineux pitch-side in front of approximately 32,000 people.
Head 4 Health – Workshop with Ryan Bennett
On 27th March 2019, the Foundation had the pleasure of inviting defender Ryan Bennett to the new Head 4 Health programme. The programme offers support to males 18 and over and is currently running over a 6-week period.
The participants began the session by speaking with Bennett about how he deals with the pressures of being a footballer. Bennett shared insight into how he manages to balance his personal life and work life. Bennett said: “By having a circle of trust with friends and family, it allows me to gain comfort with opinions that matter. I find that the best way to deal with my mental well-being it is to talk to other players. We usually eat breakfast together every day, therefore helps us to speak out and share any thoughts with one another.”
Following Bennett’s discussion, the group joined in on a ‘stress container’ activity. The stress container sparked conversation in how everyone releases their own personal pressures and looked at various coping mechanisms.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Managing Director, Laurie Dalrymple explained that: “Everything is relative to the person, we are all there to help one another. Whether that be wives, children, friends or colleagues it gives us the opportunity to talk to someone.”
After the group shared their own personal experiences, it allowed everyone to build upon the conversation.
Overall the week saw lots of positive player experiences and allowed the Foundation to showcase their projects and programmes to the Wolves players.
