Youngsters score awards
18/12/2007
High-achieving young people from across Sunderland have been presented with prizes by their football heroes at this year's Top Scorer Awards.
It was a night to remember for the winners of the third annual Top Scorer Awards as Roy Keane's team gave them the recognition they deserve.
Stars from the Stadium of Light, including Andy Cole, David Connolly and Ian Harte were on hand to reward 11 inspirational youngsters for their achievements in education programmes run by the SAFC Foundation, the club's official charity.
The high-achievers were nominated for their attainment, attitude or personal skills. These range from writing projects in the Centre of Light classrooms, to healthy lifestyles projects via the Black Cats double-decker buses, or through the family learning programme in local communities.
SAFC Foundation chief executive Lesley Spuhler said: "This is the third year we have been able to reward youngsters who have each achieved something exceptional in their own way.
"It's a great opportunity to highlight individual stories and reward youngsters for their achievements.
"Each winner has been awarded with a gift, purchased by an SAFC Foundation donor, and a certificate, which has been awarded by an SAFC player.
"Thanks go to the valued SAFC Foundation supporters that have made this celebration of learning possible".
In the last year, 20,000 children in the region have benefited from the charity, which aims to use the power of football to increase the aspirations, educational attainment and personal skills of our young people.
Award-winning success stories
Playing for Success award, supported by Sunderland City Council
SICK of struggling in her English and maths lessons, 10-year-old Beth O'Neil set herself a goal to improve.
Now the Grange Park Primary School pupil is reaping the benefits of joining SAFC Foundation's Study Support Centre and is a high scorer.
Throughout the 10-week Playing for Success course, Beth was so committed to the target she set herself that she achieved 100 per cent attendance.
This helped her to improve her literacy scores by 60 per cent and her numeracy scores went up by a whopping 80 per cent.
Goal award, sponsored by Tolent
THE SAFC Foundation's Asdan scheme has proved life-changing for Lewis Jackson.
Once shy and self-conscious, the 15-year-old kept himself to himself.
But the initiative, which encourages youngsters to explore self, team and community, has brought him out of his shell.
Today, the Monkwearmouth School pupil is like a different person and he has gone on to take an active role in group discussions and achieve the silver Asdan award.
He also helped organise a sponsored walk to raise money for SAFC Foundation – something he would never have dreamt of getting involved with before joining the course.
Kickz award, sponsored by Northumbria Police
JAK Turnbull came along to join SAFC Foundation's Kickz session as an alternative to hanging around the streets with nothing better to do.
The 15-year-old wanted something better for himself and, after getting involved in the scheme, he went on to pull together his own team of players to enter a local football tournament.
After doing well in the tournament, the Castle View School pupil went a step further, and began organising fixtures for the team.
Now he's a regular at SAFC Foundation's Monday night Kickz session.
Football First award, sponsored by Abbey National
INSPIRATIONAL Shannon Smith wants to stamp out antisocial behaviour and now her classmates follow her lead.
The nine-year-old was keen to learn when SAFC Foundation's Football First team visited her school to tackle antisocial and racist behaviour.
Her year group at Ryhope Junior School joined in the Tackle It United programme and throughout every lesson Shannon would be the first to ask a question.
Her enthusiasm proved infectious, and by the end of the course the pupils improved their knowledge and attitudes towards stereotyping and racism.
Take Care Not Risks award, sponsored by CE Electric
KATIE Smith threw herself into the Take Care Not Risks programme to learn about fitness, diet, personal safety and healthy eating.
The nine-year-old used to be apprehensive and quiet in her lessons at Newbottle Primary School, but the SAFC Foundation initiative captured her imagination.
So much so that during one lesson she even volunteered to be pulse-tested on behalf of the class.
Since taking part in the course she has demonstrated a change in attitude and embraced new subjects to overcome her shyness.
Pitstop, supported by Behavioural Education Support Team
AFTER being excluded from school, Aaron Henson is back on track with help from SAFC Foundation's Pitstop scheme.
The 15-year-old excelled in the fortnight-long scheme and his attitude completely changed.
He encouraged others to think about their actions and helped those who were struggling with their work.
At the end of his time with Pitstop – which offers short-term support to young people who have been excluded from mainstream education – Aaron was keen to get more involved Foundation and came back to do work experience.
Some of the other winners
Family learning, sponsored by Howie White Resourcing – Donna Marsden, from Barmston, Washington (adult winner).
Making Moves, sponsored by Northumbrian Water – Nathan Lyons, 16, Perth Green School.
Write on Target, sponsored by Caterpillar – Joe Atkinson, nine, Our Lady Of Lourdes School, Durham.
Learning through Football, sponsored by gentoo – Eliot Lingwood, 10, Our Lady Queen of Peace School.
Tackle It, sponsored by Wear Kids – Declan Sculley.
The full article contains 917 words and appears in n/a newspaper.Last Updated: 14 December 2007 10:34 AM
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