The Diamonds Study Centre held its Presentation Evening on Tuesday July 17th, with two time slots being set aside, to celebrate the end of the summer term of "Playing for Success" sessions at the centre.

The sessions have been run in the evenings at the Study Centre as part of a national Government initiative, which is mirrored at over 150 similar "Playing for Success" centres based at professional sports clubs across the country. The ten week programme aims to improve the children's standards in Numeracy, Literacy and Information Technology, as well as to boost their confidence and self-esteem, through the use of sports related educational activities and the wow factor of studying in a sporting environment.

The scheme involves a partnership between the Department for Education and Skills, Northamptonshire County Council, the Football Foundation and Rushden & Diamonds F.C and the work within the Study Centres has received both local and national recognition! The scheme has been so successful, since it was first piloted in England in 1996, that there are now similar centres based overseas at clubs in Spain, Holland, France and Australia.

The Presentation Evenings for the Diamonds Study Centre were held in the Executive Suite at Rushden & Diamonds Football Club and the room was full on both occasions as relatives, teachers, and club representatives witnessed the youngsters, aged between 9 and 14 years, being presented with certificates by Rushden & Diamonds players Wayne Hatswell, Michael Rankine and Martin Foster.

The schools involved in the scheme this term have all come from the Kettering area namely from Southfield, Ise, Montague and Latimer secondary schools plus Grange, Millbrook, Avondale and Henry Gotch Junior Schools.

Study Centre Manager Rob Jones said, "The presentations were superb occasions for all concerned. The youngsters have been a credit to their families and their schools and the feedback regarding the course from the club, the teachers, parents and pupils themselves has been extremely positive. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the local head teachers and link teachers for their assistance this term and to commend Rushden & Diamonds Football Club for its involvement with the local community and the support it has given to the Study Centre during this academic year."

Wayne Hatswell, Rob Jones and pupils from Grange Community School