Partnership just the job for Toon trio

THREE youngsters are on track to complete their apprenticeships after resuming their academic studies - thanks to a new partnership between the Newcastle United Foundation and Sage Foundation.

Nicole Ainsley, Sean Brett and Joe Fell are combining on-the-job training with their education and, despite the challenges of COVID19, have now restarted their studies to ensure they complete the course.

The teenagers are the latest recruits to join Newcastle United’s official charity on a 15-month programme with each apprentice employed back into their hometowns to help the Foundation make a difference across the North East.

As community coach apprentices, Ainsley, Brett and Fell will secure multi-sports coaching qualifications and desirable employability skills alongside their day-to-day working with more than 400 people each week.

The group are the first apprentices to be supported by an innovative partnership bringing together the Sage Foundation and the United Foundation.

Ainsley first joined Newcastle United Foundation in her hometown of Berwick, volunteering her time every Friday night at Premier League Kicks sessions.

She juggles her education with a part-time job and working as assistant coach to Berwick Juniors Vipers.

Brett has spent his entire life around football.

He played in Gateshead in first and reserve teams before joining Team Northumbria – Northumbria University’s football club.

He helped his side earn promotion to the Northern League by winning the Northern University Premier League.

Before securing his apprenticeship, Fell worked on a voluntary and sessional basis with the Foundation, helping run community programmes in Wallsend while also playing football himself.