During the recent school holidays Queens Park Rangers Study Support - in collaboration with the University London - offered a programme to young people teaching them the skills of coaching football and the principles of working with young people in sports.

Participants taking part in the five-day programme, that combined the theory of coaching football with practical experience, established the confidence needed to deliver coaching sessions to young people.

Alongside Study Support Centre Manager Ben Hogarth and QPR in the Community coach Steve Quashie, participants worked through the Football Association's accredited coaching certificate. This is the first step to becoming a professional coach.

It is hoped that participants receiving their certificates tonight will undertake to continue their studies through the coaching levels. We foresee them going on to utilise their expertise and skills to deliver structured and progressive football coaching to other young people across London.

Graduates of the programme delivered a coaching session and hosted a festival of football tournament for the young people at the QPR soccer school.

The names of the young people receiving their certificates are as follows: Michael Evans, Joe Farren, Liam Garnet, Charlie Peverall, Emanuel Vessio, Raheem Keane, Charlie Plant, Matt McNally and Ruan Mota.

We are proud of these young people who have given up their time to complete this award and give back to the community their experience and knowledge that will help shape the footballers and coaches of the future.