Broomfield Blast have partnered with the University of Durham, in England to create an annual summer internship program for students in their sports degree program. Durham is the third oldest university in England, after Oxford and Cambridge, with several departments being ranked highest in the country. Ninety per cent of students play sport regularly, turning out for 350 teams in the college sport program, while the university has a reputation for producing international class sportsmen and women.

Each year we invite students to spend two months in Broomfield in a program designed to produce mutual benefit for both the soccer club and the participating students. Highlights of the program include: - Interns stay with local host families and spend the week at the Blast office learning how to manage a youth sports club with over 2000 players. Several camps are run which give interns the opportunity to coach kids of all ages and help fund their trip. During their time here they can also work with individuals and teams on specific coaching issues, going to tournaments around the state, and team building activities. Interns have the chance to work with the Football For All charity, raising money to buy footwear for players who can't afford it. In 2009 our students climbed two 14,000 foot mountains, raising over $1500. The final activity is helping to run the massive annual Broomfield Tournament, where over 300 teams from around the country spend a weekend playing 600 games on 40 fields. In their free time interns get to experience everything Denver and Colorado have to offer, including some of the best professional sports teams, hiking, rafting, shopping, culture, and travel.

The 2010 internship program will run from mid-June until mid-August. The application process is open now. There will be an open meeting at the New Inn on November 20th at 2:00pm for anyone who would like to ask questions from last year's interns. Interns are required to be enthusiastic (!), enrolled in an education program for 2011, have a valid driving license, and a strong desire to coach and learn about running a soccer club.

Got questions? Ask last year's interns.... Tom Southall (Hatfield) or Will Conolly (Collingwood).

If you would like to apply, please contact James Davies (Director of Soccer Operations and former Durham student).