Coach Core Apprentice Dwayne Cooke-Peccoo says the whole Team Nottingham cohort of 20 was inspired by Prince Harry’s recent visit to Trent Bridge.
Prince Harry joined the apprentices on Wednesday as they led sessions with local school children in cricket, urban hockey, football and rugby.
“It was a real chance to see how he’s a normal, humble guy, just like any other person,” says Cooke-Peccoo.
“He asked if I was a basketball player because of my height and I explained that I’m a boxer. It felt like he really wanted to get to know me.
“When people think of the Royals they think about shock or excitement, but I don’t think he wants that.
“He wants to be seen as a normal guy who is trying to help out the kids in the community.
“We didn’t even know he was coming. It was a last minute thing and we had to stay calm, do our jobs, show him what we can do and really show the value of what we are offering.”
Cooke-Peccoo says the Coach Core initiative being delivered in partnership with the Royal Foundation is helping young people break what he calls a ‘vicious cycle’.
“I’m from St Ann’s and I used to do things that I shouldn’t have,” he says.
“I was put on a course, then a job with Epic Partners, helping young kids with life changes and with their struggles.
“It really opened my eyes and made me want to become a role model for them.
“When young people become old enough to get a job but can’t because they’d been involved in crime, it’s a vicious cycle.
“It’s a massive opportunity and we’re all thankful for the chances we have been given,” he added.
“The coaching sector is difficult to get into and this has given us the chance to show what we can do.
“We’ve got the chance as young people to do these jobs and do them just as well as people from older generations.
“We’re showing that we’re responsible, trustworthy and reliable and in the future we can show that we’re setting the benchmark.”
Team Nottingham is a consortium of professional sporting organisations comprising Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, Nottingham Rugby Club, the National Ice Centre, Epic Partners, City of Football and the Football in the Community arms of Nottingham Forest & Notts County.
It is working in partnership with the Royal Foundation, the charity of Prince Harry and the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, to deliver Coach Core; a new programme for school leavers to train as professional sports coaches whilst still in education.
It provides apprentices with an opportunity to develop their coaching skills, to gain valuable sports coaching qualifications and to be provided with education opportunities through training provider Lifetime, who will work with them to complete a diploma.
“To be a good coach you have to learn from others. Getting tips form other sports can really improve the coaching in your sport,” Cooke-Peccoo concluded.
“I’d be a really one-dimensional coach if I just worked with people in boxing, but this has given me the chance to work outside that.”
The 2015 season saw dramatic last-gasp four day victories, thrilling limited-overs contests and an historic Investec Ashes Test, all in the unique surroundings of Trent Bridge.
Next season, we’d wager, will be no less enthralling and frankly we’d hate for you to miss out.