Wigan Players Achieve IT Award

Chris Kirkland (centre) presents IT awards to Wigan Athletic players flanked by ESF Secretary Alan Irwin (right) and PFA Education Adviser Oshor Williams (left)

In between briefly topping the Premiership table during the month of August, Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Chris Kirkland took time out of his busy schedule to acknowledge the endeavours of some of his young Wigan Athletic counterparts who all completed an Information Technology Qualification delivered through the Educational Sports Forum.

In its endeavours to ensure that member organisations gain access to learning opportunities, the ESF delivered this particular course in house using the club’s very own resource centre located in the heart of the impressive JJB complex.

Where numbers are viable the facility to take the learning to the learner is an important element in providing the flexibility and portability necessary for elite performers to engage with the learning agenda.

Wigan Athletic players proudly display their certificates


From left to right: Alan Irwin ESF Secretary, Peter Moore, Russell Saunders, Chris Kirkland, Lewis Montrose, Oshor Williams PFA Education Adviser, Graham Cooper ESF IT Tutor

Chris Kirkland - Wigan Athletic and England

Following the recent England International match against Germany it was interesting to note some of the candidates put forward to challenge Paul Robinson for the England number one jersey.

One glaring omission from the list was the name of Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.

But for a series of unfortunate injuries Chris would certainly have established himself as a front runner in the race to depose the current incumbent and it is only a mater of time before he is back in the frame.

As a former scholar at Coventry FC, Chris himself undertook a programme which combined education with development as an elite performer so Chris is fully aware of the demands of the profession.

That is why it is so pleasing to see Chris acknowledging the efforts of his young colleagues within the club and the ESF Learning Agenda.

Associated Link(s)

Wigan Athletic Football Club

Published 05/09/2007 | Ref: ALAN IRWIN

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