Eight more young people have recently benefited by taking part in the high acclaimed ‘Get off the Bench’ Academy at Knowsley Road.

The Academy has been developed with the Prince’s Trust and St Helens Rugby League Club to offer the chance for young people (16 to 19 year olds) who are not in education, employment or training the opportunity to learn coaching skills and practical first aid.

Jason Traverse, Matty Twist, Mike Pinder, Danny Harden, Robert Smith, Damien Boardman, Paul Lee and Mike Darbyshire all recently celebrated graduating from the scheme in style when they graced the Knowsley Road turf ahead of the Bank Holiday Monday fixture with Salford City Reds.

The ‘Get off the Bench’ Academy is already proving a success story with thirty two young people successfully completing the course, with three now employed in local schools and a further twelve running coaching schemes on their estates.

Rob Young, Helena Housing, Chief Executive, said: “Helena Housing recognises that a decent house doesn’t make a home. A home needs to be a place where people are happy to live and that is as much about the community the home is set in as the house itself.

“This is why Helena are proud to have worked with Saints and the Prince’s Trust on making “Get off the bench” a reality and doubly proud of the young people who have not only got off the bench but are now making a positive contribution to their community by coaching other youngsters. The group will now move forward to develop their careers with St Helens College E2e programmes.”