The Somerset Playing for Success Centre has just completed the first series of ten- week courses for young people from four primary and four secondary schools in the Taunton area.

The Playing for Success Centre that is located in the Centre of Excellence at the County Ground was the first of its kind to be officially opened earlier in the autumn, and the first ten week courses have been very well received by the students.

Centre manager Simon Lowe told me: "The ten weeks were hugely successful, and at the end of the course we presented eight students with their Junior Sabres memberships for their outstanding performances."

He continued: "I would like to thank everybody who has been involved in this venture for their help in making it such a success, especially the Somerset coaches who performed the awards ceremony for us."

For the last five Wednesday mornings Simon has been running an ICT course at the Centre for several members of the Somerset staff, including several of the players and chief executive Peter Anderson.

The Centre manager told me: "I want to give something back to the people at the club who have all gone out of their way to help me, especially the chief executive who has been inspirational."

Simon Lowe is now in the process of recruiting for his next intake, and is spreading his net a little wider, to include schools from Bridgwater, Wellington and Wiveliscombe.

The Centre has been such a success that Simon Lowe is looking to recruit a Senior Learning Mentor to work alongside himself.

The post is for 20 hours per week (3pm to 8pm – Monday to Friday) and is for 38 weeks of the year.

Further details of the post are available from The Recruitment Team, Education Personnel, County Hall,Taunton, TA1 4DY.

Details can also be obtained by telephoning 01823 356292 quoting reference R/10532/MLT.

The closing date for applications is noon on December 19th.

© SOMERSET