TWO teenagers are looking forward to careers as sports coaches after being rewarded for their volunteering.
Sports enthusiasts Jordan Gregersen, from Cleethorpes, and Josh Dellow, from Grimsby, have achieved gold awards in a nationally-recognised volunteering scheme.
The pair took part in the Government-backed Positive Futures programme, which was hosted by North East Lincolnshire Council Sports Development.
They racked up more than 100 volunteering hours each in the last eight months while taking part in sporting activities.
They were congratulated on their efforts by the Minister of State for Crime Prevention, Jeremy Browne, at a celebration event at the House of Commons. Jordan was asked to share his experiences in volunteering at the event.
The 18-year-old, of Manchester Street, said: "It was a bit nerve-racking standing up and speaking, but apparently it didn't show.
"There were about 300 people there in total and I spoke about what I have been doing.
"Getting congratulated by everyone was a good feeling.
"Volunteering is a great way to help develop skills and knowledge about the job you would like to go into.
"Before I started volunteering I never knew what I wanted to do in the future, but after volunteering and experiencing it for myself I want to progress as far as I possibly can and become a full-time sports coach."
The Positive Futures scheme was linked to this year's London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games – and those taking part were involved in sharing the values of the Games and encouraging others to enjoy and play sports.
Josh, 19, of The Ridgeway, added: "Volunteering has not only helped me immensely in meeting new people, developing me as a person and as a coach.
"It has got me on a path to employment and given me a clear direction of where I would like to be in the future.
"Without volunteering I don't know what I would be doing now."
Josh is now enrolled on an internship with North East Lincolnshire Council Sports Development and Jordan is taking part in an apprenticeship with the same body.
