|
CARLA: |
Welcome to another in our series on unusual
jobs for school-leavers. Today we look at two jobs that get you
into the open air. First I'm going to talk to Matt Kooper who has
been taken on by Colchester United as a football trainee. Hello,
Matt. |
|
MATT: |
Hello. |
|
CARLA: |
Could you tell us what that means, being a
football trainee? |
|
MATT: |
Yes, well, basically it means I spend two years
preparing to be a professional footballer. If I make the grade,
after the two-year course, the club will sign me up as a
professional player. |
|
CARLA: |
Well, that sounds very exciting. So does that
mean you spend all your time out on the football field, training
and playing matches? |
|
MATT: |
No, I wish it did!! We do spend a lot of time
training, about 15 hours a week, and there are youth matches every
weekend. But most of a trainee's life is spent doing chores. First
of all, we have to wash all the players' kit, that is everything
they wear: shorts, shirts, socks, everything. Then we have to
clean up round the club grounds. That means we clean the changing
rooms and the toilets. And after a match we have to sweep up all
the litter the spectators have left behind. |
|
CARLA: |
And how much do you get paid for all those
washing and cleaning duties? |
|
MATT: |
£55 a week, and two pairs of football boots. |
|
CARLA: |
That doesn't sound much. |
|
MATT: |
No, I suppose it doesn't. But I would do it for
nothing!! I would do anything for the chance to play football.
|
|
CARLA: |
Well, apart from the low wages, are there any
other disadvantages in your job? |
|
MATT: |
Not really, it's all brilliant... er ... except
there are a lot of rules we have to obey, a bit like school. Yes,
too many rules are a definite disadvantage. And not much time off
is another one. I hardly ever have time to see my girlfriend. |
|
CARLA: |
What qualifications do you need to become a
football trainee? |
|
MATT: |
Well, obviously you've got to have a talent for
the game, a better than average skill. And you've also got to have
determination - determination to succeed in football whatever
happens. |
|
CARLA: |
Thank you, Matt, I wish you luck in your chosen
career. |
|
MATT: |
Thank you. |
