National journalist advises young players
Huddersfield Town’s Academy scholars have just returned from a week-long pre-season training camp in Oakham, Leicestershire - and while they were away they worked on more than just football!
During their five day stay at Oakham School, the Huddersfield Town Academy took the opportunity to extend its ‘lifestyle’ programme, which is offered to all Academy apprentices in partnership with the League Football Education (LFE) as part of the ‘Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence’ programme (ASE).
National sports journalist and elite athlete Cathy Wood delivered a presentation on Social Media titled ‘Are you a risk, or role model, in the way you use Social Media?’
Using her background in sports journalism, Cathy gave Town’s young players her view on their existing social media output – both the positive and negative content on their Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube accounts.
The apprentices were then asked to consider whether they feel the content truly represented who they are and reflect upon whether they are a risk or role model to themselves, their club and their futures.
Cathy also gave up to date information with regard to the importance of using the correct security settings and the pitfalls which apprentices may fall into if they do not understand their importance.
The presentation was part-funded by the LFE, which was established by The Football League and The PFA in 2004 to deliver the ASE programme to all of the Football League Clubs in England and Wales over a two year period.
Huddersfield Town’s Head of Education and Welfare Karen Crosland commented:
“Regardless of whether or not our scholars go onto enjoy careers as professional footballers or not, the ability to communicate is an essential life skill and we aim to give our Academy scholars an all-round education.
“Cathy gave a great insight as to how journalists can use social media to learn about individuals, as well as examples of how the scholars can change their online behaviour to showcase the many positive activities which they are involved in.
“Cathy’s presentation was informative, interesting and hard hitting and I believe that the scholars now better understand that they are role models and their online presence should reflect this.”
Second year scholar Joe Wilkinson added:
“It came as a bit of a shock to realise just what possible effects your own actions – and those of ‘friends’ – online can have on others, particularly team mates. The information about ‘tagging’ was new to most of us and something we all need to consider carefully in the future.”
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