Redundancy after two decades inspires bid in bring sport to children in South East Kent - 10th Dec 2009
A former manager of the redundant Pfizer Production Plant is taking on a new challenge after more than two decades with the same company – to make sport his business in a bid to inspire today's children with a passion for fitness.
Nigel Croud, who joined Pfizer on a YTS aged 16, was made redundant in May after 24 years with the company when the production plant at the Sandwich site closed.
Now the father-of-one has turned his passion for sport into a career and set up his own business under the wing of the UK's biggest coaching company, Premier Sport.
Nigel, who played local football and cricket for Littlebourne for many years, is already working in eight schools in South East Kent, delivering lunch and after school clubs as well as curricular time coaching in PE lessons.
Premier Sport is dedicated to developing innovative sports coaching which will help children to live a healthy, fit life, and successfully delivers coaching to more than 125,000 children every week.
The company is backed by big-named sporting ambassadors including rugby legend Lawrence Dallaglio, Olympic gold medallist Duncan Goodhew and former rugby league champion Paul Sculthorpe.
For Nigel, who has just turned 40, the move to set up his own business with Premier represents a huge career change.
"I decided I wanted to go in a different direction and I had previously been coaching cricket at Littlebourne and really enjoyed it. When I was made redundant I thought what a perfect opportunity to do something I enjoy as a career and a business.
"I came across Premier Sport and liked what I saw – the professionalism as well as the training opportunities which mean I am now qualified to deliver dozens of sports. The backing of some great sporting ambassadors also gave me confidence in choosing Premier Sport.
"I have had really positive reactions from all the schools I have visited and am already working in Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable, and look forward to working in the Isle of Thanet, Sandwich and Deal areas. Now I want Premier Sport to become known for providing excellence in this area, like it is in much of the rest of the country."
Nigel, of Herne Bay, will offer PE coaching both in and out of school hours as well as Chewits holiday camps, breakfast, lunch and after school clubs with his team of coaches under the Premier Sport umbrella.