The Bluebirds Study Centre, in Barrow, held a five-day summer course which included football coaching, digital photography workshops and a trip to the Reebok Stadium, home of Bolton Wanderers.The 15 children taking part spent a day at the stadium where Bolton Wanderers Football in the Community provided the coaching. The youngsters toured the ground and got the chance to put their new digital camera skills to use.

Back at the £500,000 centre, at Barrow AFC's Holker Street ground, the children were taught new skills by qualified Football Association coaches. They also continued their digital camera project with the use of the centre's Information and Technology Suite.

Course leader, Mark Ingham, said: "We're delighted that Bolton's community scheme were able to acoomodate us as it provided the children with excellent coaching in a fun and safe way. The children really enjoyed the week's course as some wished it lasted longer than a week. We are glad to have provided young people with sporting opportunities they would otherwise not have."

The centre, which aims to motivate children and improve their English, maths and IT through the medium of football, is due to open for its first official term in September. Centre manager Claire Pepper and her stadd ran a successful pilot project involving four secondary schools and four primary schools at the facility during June and July. The centre follows the Department for Education and Skills Playing for Success initiative.

Written in conjunction with the North-west Evening Mail (Tuesday 16th August 2005)