A YOUNG sports coach has flown to America to begin a five month contract teaching children football after completing his studies.

Jack Mensforth, of Shildon, is one of 64 individual success stories from Bishop Auckland College’s Higher Education graduation ceremony.

The 20-year-old collected his scroll after completing four years of study culminating in his Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Sport Coaching.

He landed his contract in Los Angeles with UK International Soccer after successfully completing an assessment day in Newcastle following the organisation’s visit to the college scouting for new coaching talent.

Mr Mensforth, who will teach children aged eight to 18 in the US and hopes to achieve his UEFA licence in football coaching, said: “I really can’t wait to get out there”

His colleague Luke Elms, 22, of Willington, is also heading out to the US later this summer but has not been told where yet.

He has secured a place at the University of South Wales for a two year BA (Hons) in Football Coaching Administration and is set to do a placement on the other side of the Atlantic.

Former Army bomb disposal expert Steven Dykes is also looking forward to a bright future, after qualifying with a distinction in his HND in Business. The 32-year-old, of Bishop Auckland, was with the Royal Engineers Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) in Essex for five years.

He now works as a clinical engineer at the University Hospital of North Durham and also as a part time fitness instructor and in September starts his BA (Hons) in Applied Management one year top up, which will see him study at the college’s strategic HE partner the University of Sunderland.

Mr Dykes said: “I always thought I would run my own business. Now I would like to work my way up to management.”

Other graduates at the ceremony last week included mother-of-three Sarah Bennett, 25, of Newton Aycliffe, a volunteer at Butterwick Hospice in Bishop Auckland who has achieved her Level 1, 2, 3, 4 and Foundation Degree in Counselling at the college and now plans to do a one year top up at the University of Sunderland to complete her BA (Hons) degree and become a full time counsellor.

Tiffany Myers, 20, of Crook, has also passed her Business Administration Apprenticeships and Higher Apprenticeship. She works as an administrator at Bishop Barrington School, in Bishop Auckland and now plans to take a L5 NVQ in Leadership and Management.