Over the course of the 2023/24 season we will hear from a wide range of local people who have benefitted from Arsenal in the Community projects. Here we find out more about how Ruby, 16 and from Hertfordshire, is learning new skills and gaining independence as an Arsenal Student.
Name: Ruby
Project: The Arsenal Student
Established: 1986
Participants since starting: More than 1,000
Weekly participants: 40-plus students
Sessions: Monday to Friday
Available to: Students that meet entry criteria for NCFE Level 2 & 3
“I first learned about the opportunity to become an Arsenal student through the page on the official website, Arsenal.com, and I found it to be a very intriguing concept to study at the club I love.
I applied for the course while I was working towards my GCSEs back in spring, and my hard work during that time paid off. I was pleased with my results and felt that the timing was right to embark on a new challenge.
“My first visit to The Arsenal Hub was for my pre-course induction in July. It was an exhilarating experience and I was surrounded by some wonderful people. I vividly remember thinking how modern the facilities were.
“In the few months I’ve been here, I have already taken part in a variety of activities outside of the classroom. These range from personal finance workshops to hate crime awareness sessions, with my favourite being the gambling workshop. We learned some really valuable things.
There are classroom activities, yes, but of course there are coaching sessions on the pitch, too
“I particularly enjoy the weekly practical coach education sessions, where we get a chance to explore coaching principles that we can later apply during our local primary school coaching sessions.
“I’ve formed some strong friendships too, especially with one individual who I spent time with both in and outside of college. Feeling comfortable with my group and having good people around me is a big factor in making this experience both fun and enjoyable.
“The Arsenal staff members are incredibly nice and caring towards us. They are always ready to help and support us, regardless of the issue. Being an Arsenal student has changed me for the better, allowing me to open myself up to new experiences and regularly step out of my comfort zone. The workshops and enrichment trips are really good examples of this.
“The daily commute to and from the club has also been beneficial for me. I feel more independent, and this newfound independence spills over into my life outside of college.
“I hadn’t witnessed any of Arsenal in the Community’s work before becoming a student here, and seeing first-hand some of the participants benefiting from Arsenal’s delivery has given me a different perspective on the club. I’m really excited to be part of it.
“For anyone contemplating becoming a student, I would wholeheartedly say, ‘Do it!’ It feels like the right choice for me, and the benefits over any sixth-form classes are evident. The range of experiences and workshops combined with the smaller classes ensure you can get the support you need. Being at Arsenal means you’re part of a bigger family that you feel welcome and included in.”
For more infornation email BTEC sports manager Martin Davis at mdavis@arsenal.co.uk or click here
Ruby feels that, for her, studying here has been more beneficial than going to sixth form would have been
Copyright 2024 The Arsenal Football Club Limited. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source.
