TWO sixth-form students have been chosen to form part of a national board to promote participation in grassroots football.

Connor Smith and Maddy Wood, students at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, in Darlington, have been selected to be members of the English Colleges’ FA national management team.

They are both passionate about football and are delighted to have won this national accolade. Their main focus is Team 19, a student-led initiative, which aims to increase levels of football amongst 16-19-year-olds for leisure purposes.

Maddy said: “To be selected as part of the team was an absolute honour. So far it has been an amazing opportunity that I have thoroughly enjoyed and is an opportunity I would encourage other football lovers to get involved with.”

Both Connor and Maddy have attended a number of meetings one of which was at St George’s Park, the England National Football Team’s Training HQ.

Connor added: “Being able to walk around the same grounds as the England football team was amazing.

“Being selected for the management team and being recognised on a national scale is an unbelievable success for both Maddy and I.

“We look forward to what the year has to offer.’’

Connor and Maddy are now heavily engaged with planning proposals for a national football event at the end of the college year.