THREE 15-year-old local footballers are proving to be perfect role models for the island’s youngsters. Not many teenagers would be expected to venture out of their warm beds onto a football pitch on a drizzly winter Saturday morning to coach minis.

But that is exactly what Grammar School student Jordan Gallienne and Elizabeth College pupils James Adams and Alex Simon have been doing while many of their peers are snuggled up in their duvets watching Soccer AM or playing computer games.

The trio’s loyalty has been rewarded by success in passing the FA level one certificate in coaching.

‘Like many of the local football clubs, the stalwarts who get press-ganged into helping out with the minis at Rangers tend to be mums and dads who are happy to give up their Saturday mornings, rain or shine – and some even say it is preferable than going to B&Q,’ said Rangers minis co-ordinator Nick Graham.

‘What is brilliant about Jordan, James and Alex is that they are 15-year-old lads who give up their Saturday mornings every week and that is not stereotypical teenage behaviour,’ he suggested.

‘This is their second season in helping out and they have recently been successful in passing the FA level one certificate in coaching, which reflects their commitment.

‘Jordan, James and Alex personify all that society ignores about teenagers today. They are positive role models who give the younger children a teenager to look up to. We hope that they will continue to help out and, in return, that we can help them gain really useful experience. In addition, we hope that our present crop of 10-year-olds will want to emulate Alex, Jordan and James for the next generation,’ said Graham.

‘They are reliable and are a great asset to have in the club. They work well with our other coaches and their commitment and enthusiasm is an extremely positive thing for everyone involved in the Rangers Football Club.’

All three youngsters play Youth Two for Rangers and Jordan is the son of the club’s Priaulx coach Mac Gallienne.

‘You have to get up early on a Saturday morning and you put a lot of time and effort into it. I started last year halfway through the season because my dad has a big part to play in Rangers. I started helping the minis and this year I started coaching on my own with the Year 2s,’ he said.

‘It’s a really good set-up and it’s really enjoyable and we get to play lots of matches. I would recommend the course to anyone – you learn a lot. If you are interested in coaching get involved in the course.

‘But it’s not as easy to coach children as I thought it was, especially being young myself,’ he admitted.

The youngster would like to further his coaching once he has finished playing – either in charge of a senior or youth side.

He is planning to participate in the level two coaching course in future but insists it will not be immediately due to its demands.

‘Rangers is one of the better clubs to be at for youth football,’ he said.

And if the club’s ambitions match the commitment of this trio, they cannot go far wrong in future as they look to move to a new ground at Les Vauxbelets.