News

Twins Courtney and Nicole Dack, 16, have been inducted as Newcastle United Foundation sessional coaches as a result of their ongoing commitment, passion and enthusiasm towards their voluntary work with the organisation. 

Courtney and Nicole began volunteering with the Foundation when a ‘Girls Only’ Kicks session was launched in partnership with their football club at the end of July 2014.

A key element of their initial volunteering role was securing participant attendance across the 10 week course, where during the sessions, they assisted in set-up and team selections. As the course progressed the twins confidence grew and they began to referee games and lead with alternative coaching drills, the participants thoroughly enjoyed the twins sessions and began to look up to them. Throughout the 10 week satellite, the twins accumulated 25 hours of quality volunteering and were keen to stay involved with the Kicks project.

In partnership with Northumberland FA, the Newcastle Kicks project ran a Basic Refereeing Course, providing participants the opportunity to make money and develop invaluable skills that come with refereeing.  The twins were invited to attend the course and gain the qualification following their dedication through volunteering with the project.

Nicole and Courtney have represented Newcastle Kicks at national and international level.  Their success at the Kicks Cup at Hackney Marshes was followed by invitation to the Premier League Christmas Truce Tournament in Ypres, Belgium, an experience that allowed them to learn the history of the First World War and Christmas Truce, as well as play football with girls from similar projects across the world.

In 2015, after their time in Belgium, the twins continued to participate at the Westgate Kicks session, and representing the Foundation at the national Kicks Cup in May in Liverpool, where Nicole lifted the winning trophy as captain.

The girls have since progressed from participating at Westgate Kicks sessions to volunteering to coach, where they are challenged each week by existing coaches to further develop their skills and increase their responsibilities.  

Laura Wilson, Newcastle United Foundation Youth and Community Projects Coordinator said: “The difference I’ve seen in the twins since I first met them has been phenomenal. Their passion for football and grabbing every opportunity given to them, has seen them progress on this fantastic journey with Kicks and Newcastle United Foundation. The Premier League Kicks project really does give young people like Courtney and Nicole the chance to develop themselves in many aspects, for the twins, working in football is their dream and this is just the beginning.”

Nicole Dack added: “We’d normally just sit in the house on a Friday night but Kicks has allowed us to play football in a different community, meet new people and make friends. Playing in the mixed, competitive Kicks environment has increased my confidence and allowed me to travel across the country and overseas to play with people from different cultures and communities.”

“To be given the chance to progress into a sessional role, from our current position of volunteers, is a fantastic opportunity for us. We have been involved with the Kicks project for over two years now and have volunteered for 18 months at various community sessions and venues. We intend to grab this chance with both hands and will continue to give 100% commitment to Newcastle United Foundation and the worthwhile projects we will be assisting with”, commented Courtney Dack.

Kicks engages with over 2800 young people across 14 venues in Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland and Gateshead.

For more information on Kicks email Laura Wilson (laura.wilson@nufc.co.uk)

Share this article