May 2020

19 Buckden Roundabout May 2020 Local Sports Person Diddington lad Sam Squire Sam pursues his dreams Diddington - based 19 year old Sam Squire wants to make a ca- reer as a professional footballer. He also works to protect and develop mental health in footballers and young people. This is his story so far. He started his journey at Cambridge United aged 8, when he attended a local trial. Within 6 months he quickly progressed through the football development system and into the Centre ’ s academy. While in the academy, he trained and played regular- ly against the best teams in the UK and Europe. At 16 he was rewarded for all the hard work over those years and became a professional football scholar for Cambridge United FC. For the follow- ing two years he entered a regime of full - time training and games programme, alongside studying a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport, FA Level 1&2 Coaching Badges, and an NVQ in Professional Foot- ball apprenticeships. As a reward for his efforts he was included in the ‘ LFE 11’, which highlights the top 11 professional football scholars in the English Football League for their success on and off the pitch. Nearing the end of his scholarship he began to work with the Cambridge United Community Trust through their mental health programme ‘ Mind Your Head ’. He worked with local year 8 school children to develop their awareness of mental health and to help remove the stigma surrounding mental health. Sam was in- spired to work with others on mental health issues by see- ing at first - hand a family member ’ s struggles with mental health issues, and by experiencing how they eventually man- aged to deal with them. Partnering with the trust provid- ed the opportunity to help the local community through the power of football. Sam works with young people to help them understand the importance of mental health, to help them be aware of the mental state within themselves, and to help them manage their minds in numerous schools locally. Two years ago, he achieved his childhood dream of becoming a professional footballer for Cambridge United FC on a one - year contract. Sadly, despite giving one hundred percent on and off the pitch that year he was let go at the end of the 18/19 sea- son. However, as one door closed another one opened. So when the opportunity to become the Premier League Kicks Officer for Cambridge United came up he was excited to con- tinue the incredible work being delivered by Cambridge United Community Trust. The Premier League Kicks programme uses football to connect with young people in some of the highest need areas of the UK Sam ’ s current role is to enhance the lives of those aged 8 - 19 in the most deprived areas of Cambridge through football ses- sions, which provide a safe, positive and inclusive environment that helps youngsters take control of their lives. Alongside his work at Cambridge United Community Trust, Sam is currently studying for an Undergraduate Certificate in Coaching at the University of Cambridge. He has not abandoned his ambition to play professional foot- ball full - time. He currently plays semi - professional football for Needham Market FC. At 19, he has already achieved some of his dreams, but what does the future hold? Watch this space. Sam, aged 8