The club’s Community Trust have been working with McKenzie, a student from Fleetwood High, who has been taking part in the Premier League Inspires delivery as part of the Opportunity Area’s mentoring, in partnership with Blackpool FC Community Trust.
McKenzie enjoys sports, particularly boxing, and PL Inspires mentor, Jordan Kilgallon, has been working with McKenzie for the past year, in which time his attendance has improved to 92% - an increase of 17% on last year - whilst his behaviour in school has also improved.
The Trust were informed that the Year 9 student hung around ‘with the wrong crowd’ in his early years at high school, which affected his learning and behaviour whilst at school however, teachers have recognised an improvement in the last year, partly thanks to the work from our Community Trust.
His approach to school has completely changed and said about the involvement from the Trust: “Premier League Inspires has really helped me, it's relaxing and I learn how to cope with things and talk about any problems or challenges that I’m facing.”
McKenzie has learned to be more resilient and regularly demonstrates working as part of a team, both in school and out, with a constant in his life being his passion for boxing, as he mentioned to the PL Inspires coach, it helps him as when he stressed, it ‘helps get the anger away’.
Jordan, the Trust’s PL Inspires Mentor, explained: “McKenzie has been a joy to work with; his punctuality has improved and he always manages to complete all of the tasks set each week. It is also clear to see that his confidence has increased, not only in our lessons but also engaging in other lessons, where he wants to provide answers in front of his classmates.”