A SPORTS coach has returned to his roots to help youngsters at a dale school become fitter and stronger.
Staindrop’s Matthew Charlton used to go to Teesdale School before he left to complete a raft of sports qualifications.
The 21-year-old returned to his old stomping ground last year and has already made a mark on sports at the school.
Mr Charlton said: “It’s nice to come back and make a difference in sport. You can pass students on to clubs and other teams in the area.
“Being a local lad, I know people who can help out in whatever they want to achieve.”
Mr Charlton did a sports coaching apprenticeship at Teesdale Leisure Centre before doing some coaching for Darlington FC.
He still coaches at the Conference North club alongside fellow villager and mate Harvey Saunders at weekends.
An inter-house lunchtime sports club has been a success at the school with his help – but it’s not just those who are into sport he’s aided.
Part of his role has seen him help students lose weight and gain confidence.
And he’s also been keen to get youngsters from farming families to follow their sporting passions.
Mr Charlton added: “We do as many sports as we can. I’ve got qualifications in the likes of gymnastics and swimming and whether you’re good or not, you can find techniques you use in things like swimming can be beneficial in other sports as well.
“You get so much job satisfaction from it – you can be having a bad day and one kid, or one thing, can change you day completely.
“Rarely do you go home in a bad mood.”
Mr Charlton began teaching sport in primary schools before moving into the secondary sector.
He still fulfils his footballing passions – playing as full-back for newly formed Red Well Rangers, in Barnard Castle.
Despite getting a gentle ribbing from pupils for picking up injuries, he’s been impressed with changes made at his former school since he departed.
He added: “It’s been a good insight because I came here as a student and since I left the amount this school has come on is quite staggering really.
“There’s been a massive improvement in the relationship between the staff and students and it’s heading in the right direction. That’s what made me want to come back.”
Executive headteacher Dr Janice Gorlach said: “Mr Charlton has been a fantastic addition to the Teesdale team.
“He is full of good ideas and is working hard to get more students to participate in a wider range of sporting activities. We are really proud to have someone with his energy and talent helping to driving our sports agenda forward.”
