LITTLEPORT teenager Courtney Pettifor has been nominated for a Young People of the Year award for his selfless work inspiring others to get involved in sport.
The 18-year-old, of Fishers Bank, spends many hours each week inspiring and coaching youngsters in junior football, refereeing school football matches.
He founded and runs the Ely College sixth form football team and helps at sports days.
Courtney has also taught sport to pupils at Highfield Special School next door to Ely College, in Downham Road.
His affinity with young people of all abilities has developed through having an older brother with autism and a younger brother with Down’s Syndrome.
His enthusiasm for widening participation in sport has earned him a nomination for Ferrier Pearce Young People of the Year, known as YOPEY.
Courtney was nominated by Mark Sirot-Smith, director of Sixth Form at Ely College.
Mr Sirot-Smith said: “We didn’t have a team so Courtney decided to start one but he was not just content with just coaching. He organised the fixtures, found a sponsor, sourced the kit and even arranged the team transport,”
“Courtney is also especially committed to helping youngsters with learning difficulties access sport. All the junior teams he runs are open to all young players regardless of ability or needs.”
Courtney coaches Ely Crusaders Under-6 football team on Saturday mornings, Littleport Rangers Under-11s every Wednesday and girls’ football at Ely College every Thursday.
Coaching and managing the sixth form team and coaching badminton, his other love, doesn’t leave much time for Football Association coaching courses he already has his FA Level 1 qualification.
In addition to Fenstanton-based Ferrier Pearce, this year’s Cambs YOPEY is supported by, among others, Cambridge high-tech companies CSR and ARM, St Ives printing technology company Linx, LifePlus supplements of St Neots, Stratagem Intellectual Property Management of Trumpington, TTP technology consultants of Melbourn, Chatteris firms ALS and The Micron Group, Ely salad grower G¹s and Kiss Communications of Cambridge.
The awards ceremony will be held in St Neots in October. Nominations close on 31st July 31.
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