Accessible Sport for Luton

Jenna is a young hockey player, aged 15, who lives on Marsh Farm. She started hockey after Luton Town Hockey Club delivered several weeks' coaching in her Primary School. She enjoyed hockey so much that she then attended club junior sessions to train and play once a week on Sundays.

She has also been playing with the Luton Town Hockey Club's 1st XI team for two seasons and is a talented player. Encouraged to attend county trials she was selected for the Bedfordshire County squad, and after playing in county competitions was identified as a potential regional player for the Midlands. Chosen for the Midlands squad, Jenna's parents applied for a grant from the Luton Sports Network and were successful in getting help with some of the costs involved.

A reorganisation within England Hockey saw the regional hockey centres being renamed Junior Regional Performance Centres (JRPC). Jenna was initially in the lower level, Tier 1, and was then selected for the higher Tier 2. Tier 2 teams competed in the Futures Cup held at Cannock - only 4 teams across the whole of England, approximately 64 youngsters. Jenna's team, Mercia Lynx, was triumphant, as they won the overall competition.

The Futures Cup takes place to identify the most talented players who then go on to England trials at Bisham Abbey - Jenna was one of about 40 girls chosen for the trials. To her great delight, Jenna was selected for the U16 England squad and has already attended one training session at Bisham. Jenna was surprised and delighted to be picked - "It's fantastic that I've been selected. It came as such a surprise, and I didn't think I'd be chosen. I'm just so happy."

She will now have to complete a schedule of training at home and abroad, alongside a programme of international competition, and it will be quite a challenge to meet these expectations. Luton Sports Network has also "topped up" her grant award when her selection for England came through.

Darren Foster is an U10 level 1 coach for Luton Leagrave and his team of youngsters play in the Bedfordshire Mini Soccer league (Filmergraphics) on Sunday mornings. Next season however these children will be progressing to 11 aside (with the intoduction of offside rules). To help overcome some of these challenges instore, Darren is looking to extend his knowledge and skills by undertaking further courses offered by the county FA namely Age Appropriate Coaching Intro and the new FA Youth Award "Developing the Environment". Darren is a popular coach with the children and parents alike.

Luton Leagrave is a friendly, family club which promotes football to all. It does not hold trials as the club ethos is for all to enjoy football regardless of ability. The club was founded on St Georges day 2002, originally in the Leagrave area of Luton hence the name, to provide affordable competitive football to the local community and to provide it in a safe environment with good standards. It became a Chartered Standard Club in April 2004. That status was successfully renewed in April 2007."