From 2009, the Cobblers Study Centre will be working in partnership with the club's Football in the Community scheme to provide Duke of Edinburgh Awards in Northampton.

Youth charity The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and the Football League Trust have launched a ground breaking national partnership which will inspire, enthuse and motivate young people to achieve a Duke of Edinburgh's Award through football across England and Wales.

On Friday 17th October, Gerry Sutcliffe MP - Minister for Sport in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Clive Betts MP - Member of the Parliamentary Football Team launched the partnership at Sheffield United Football Club. Margaret Hillyer from the Cobblers Study Centre and Russell Lewis from the NTFC Community Department made the journey up to Sheffield to receive funding for the scheme. Northampton Town Football Club is now recognised as an approved centre to run The Duke of Edinburgh's Award in partnership with the Football League Trust.

Through this exciting alliance, the Cobblers Study Centre and Football in the Community will work closely with the Duke of Edinburgh Award to benefit young people. The award includes a series of physical and social activities to get them fit, grow in confidence, develop their passions and bring communities closer together. Margaret and Russell will be working with Football in the Community to deliver the programme to a group of young people with special educational needs.

On Tuesday 16th December the Study Centre Team held its Presentation Evening to celebrate the successes of all young people who have worked in the Cobblers Study Centre over the last term. Cobblers first team regulars, Danny Jackman and Jason Crowe, were at the presentation evening to help present certificates alongside Clarence the Dragon.

The night kicked off with a photo presentation of the activities that have been going on in the Study Centre over the term. Our 'Playing for Success' students from Ashby Fields, William Parker and Southbrook Schools were the first to receive their goody bags and certificates from the special guests. Our Wednesday night Kic.in2. study group also received certificates for their ten week course at the study centre as well as recognition of their participation in the exciting Supporter to Reporter project.

The night ended with a presentation to Becky Allen from Kingsthorpe College who, whilst participating in the S.C.O.R.E project at the Study Centre, completed the FA Junior Football Organisers Award.

Congratulations to everyone who worked hard at the Study Centre this term!