A sporting chance for Michael

Michael Snaith plans to use his passion for sport to help make a positive impact on young people’s lives.

The 21-year-old graduates from Teesside University with a First Class BSc (Hons) in Sports Development.

He has secured a job with Educ8 which is based at Eston Sports Academy where he will work as an Alternative Education Teacher from January.

Michael, from the Longlands area of Middlesbrough, will work with mainly 14 to 16-year-olds who have not been engaging at school.

He will teach them both the practical and theoretical aspects of sport in order to help them gain GCSE equivalent qualifications.

'I have always been interested in sport and the way it can be used to positively change people’s lives,' said Michael.

'The course at Teesside has been really enjoyable and interesting and has enabled me to get a job in an area which I am passionate about. I will be working with young people, teaching them about a variety of sports and hopefully helping them to engage and get back on track.'

Since completing his degree, Michael has also given voluntary lectures to students at Teesside University and says that is an area he would also like to explore in the future.

His parents, Stephen, Vanda and sister Lauren will be attending his graduation ceremony and Michael said it will be a really proud day.

'The best thing about the course was the variation of what you learn,' added Michael.

'It feels really good to be graduating and to know that I will be able to put what I have learned into practice.'

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