James Purnell Visit
Rhyl City Strategy was pleased to welcome the Secretary of State
for Work and Pensions, James Purnell MP to Rhyl Football Club's
Belle Vue Stadium on 30th October 2008. The visit was jointly
hosted by Rhyl City Strategy and Rhyl Football in the
Community. The department of Work and Pension launched the
Cites Strategy programme in 2006, and earlier this year announced
that it would be extending its funding until March 2011.
James Purnell spoke highly of the work taking place in Rhyl through
the efforts of the City Strategy and its partners, stating that
although the smallest of the Pathfinders, it is also one of the
Department's favourites!
The secretary of State met with members of Rhyl City Strategy
Executive Team, and with participants on a football coaching
initiative that is being run by Rhyl Football in the Community in
partnership with the City Strategy. The project is providing
training opportunities for 12 unemployed people to gain a level one
football coaching award, covering basic coaching principles,
session planning, communication skills and health and safety
issues.
The Minister that had an opportunity ti see a coaching session
in progress with members of Rhyl's junior team, and to chat with
two of the participants on the course, Paul and Adam , who are
supported by Working Links. The two young men spoke of how
the course has given then a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to find
training and employment in the leisure industry. To round off
the visit, Jamie Digwood, Director of Football of Rhyl Football
Club and Neil Roberts from the Club's 1st team presented the
Minister with a football shirt signed by the team.
