In A League of His Own
David Stewart has been rewarded for his entrepeneurial
talents
"It's either good or mad!" David Stewart observed about
the small-sided football league he has set up. "I've basically set
it all up on my own and sometimes I get a lot of stress, being the
one in charge. If anything goes wrong it's all down to
me!"
David is a 17-year old Doncaster College business student who
has set up and is running the league called NBT (Next Big Thing)
which is a 7-a-side football league for young adults aged
14-19, based on the town fields in the centre of Doncaster. David
explained how it all got going.
"A few friends on Facebook were looking to play football but the
local leagues are so competitive there are very few vacancies so I
thought I could set one up. I got ten teams interested, worked out
the fixtures and then booked an Astroturf pitch on the town fields
and it went from there."
David referees the games himself and then sells refreshments
such as bottles of water, fruit and other healthy-based energy
foods to the teams at half time.
"I'm not doing it for the money. It all goes back into hiring
pitches, purchasing footballs, prizes etc. I enjoy the game and it
gives a chance for a great bunch of lads to do something healthy
and not sit at home on their Xbox."
David's initiative has been rewarded by winning the Young
Entrepreneur of the Year category at the Free Press Superkids
Awards for which he received a variety of 'handy' vouchers. He was
particularly pleased with a family ticket to watch his local
football team, Doncaster Rovers.
Once David has finished his Level 3 Business and Administration
Course at the College he hopes to go to University and study
management and turn his skills and talent to running his own
business. That shouldn't be too hard after his recent
entrepreneurial experiences. But in the meantime, David says, "I'm
hoping to add another division to the league and start promotion
and relegation battles so the players have something to aim
for."
David is aiming high and is certainly in a league of his
own!
Doncaster College runs a host of business-related courses from
its Hub and High Melton sites. Further details can be obtained by
calling 0800 358 7575 or visiting www.don.ac.uk
Updated: 17/01/2011