Bristol City Youth Players Set Example On The Roads

Tuesday, February 23rd 2010 07:00

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Young Bristol City players are being given extra training to make them safer drivers.

Members of the club's football academy range in age from 6 to 18.

Those coming up to driving age have been taking part in both practical and classroom sessions at Ashton Gate to help them learn expert driving skills.

The club have taken up the offer of expert training from driving school BSM, in reponse to the high number of young men being involved in collisions on the roads.

It is hoped Bristol City youth players will set an example to young drivers in future.

John Clayton is Academy Manager at Bristol City, he said: "A lot of these boys are going to go on and play, hopefully in our first team, or maybe get transfered for a lot of money to premier league clubs. So they do become role models, and they do become role models very young. I think the driving thing is just part of that."

He also said that serious car accidents involving players could ruin their chances of a career in professional football:

"They're at the age where they're learning to drive or they've just passed their test. Over the last few years we've seen accidents; luckily they haven't been major, we're talking a little bit of a bump on the street or in the carpark and it's just through lack of concentration. So, we've been lucky we've seen a few minor accidents, but it's so important that these guys learn to drive properly and really focus and concentrate."

To hear the full interview with John Clayton, follow the link at the top of the page:

The national project means that footballers from League Two youth team players to the Premiership's top scorers, will be offered training to help make them safe on the road.

In addition, foreign Premier League footballers are being offered support to ensure they are legally compliant with British driving laws.

With recent incidents concerning a number of footballers involved in car collisions, BSM say they are committed to helping reduce the number of crashes they are involved in by ensuring the stars of tomorrow receive training at an early stage.

Nikolai Kesting, Managing Partner and CEO at BSM, said: "Following the recent successes at Huddersfield and Bolton, we are delighted that Bristol City has become involved with the scheme and are pleased that our partnership with the PFA has been able to influence so many young footballers across the country.

"As young males are statistically more likely to be involved in collisions, anything that BSM and the PFA can do to improve road safety is good for all road users. As well as working with youth teams and academies, we will provide numerous other services for all PFA members as we continue to work closely with the PFA throughout 2010."