At Saturday’s Sheffield Wednesday game, local graduates from the National Citizen Service (NCS) will enjoy VIP treatment as they join the players on the pitch to launch NCS Match Day, a special event organised by Reds in the Community.

A handful of lucky Barnsley FC fans who are NCS graduates will be going to the game as special guests of the Club to mingle with star players including NCS Ambassador Mark Roberts.

The event, supported by Barnsley FC and Reds in the Community will launch the national two week NCS Match Day activity, highlighting the positive work that young people have done in their local community. NCS Match Day is the brainchild of the EFL Trust, and delivered by English league clubs right across the country.

NCS is a nationwide experience for year 11s and 12s. It is a chance for teens to shake things up and develop new skills for whatever post-GCSE life has to throw at them. It changes how teens see the world and has a huge impact on communities across the UK with over 1.9 million hours of social action taking place across the country – the equivalent to building 74 Olympic Stadiums and 1 The Great Wall of China.

Football fans and NCS grads Luke Owen & Joseph Reavill from Barnsley said: “NCS has been an amazing experience. It’s not a chance that is offered to you every day; it’s a once in a life time opportunity.

 “NCS has developed me into a mature young adult and has equipped me with many life skills which will benefit me in the future”

Other footie fans who want to get involved can register at www.ncsefltrust.co.uk.

NCS Ambassador, Mark Roberts is a big supporter of the programme: “I’m really proud to be chosen as NCS Ambassador for Reds in the Community”

“I think NCS is brilliant. It gives young people the chance to experience a variety of activities and challenges whilst building new friendships and benefitting the local community.

“Ultimately, NCS lays a solid foundation for these guys to go on confidently and achieve whatever they want in the future.”

In Barnsley the NCS programme is delivered by Reds in the Community with the support of teens who have already graduated from the programme, and has made its mark on people’s lives and the local community. Participants enjoy a number of fun-filled team activities while away on a residential retreat, before returning to Barnsley to help local charities raise money through various different community-based events, like car washes and sponsored walks, . Over 300,000 young people have now participated in NCS.

Hannah Philips, NCS Programme manager at Reds in the Community believes that more young people in Barnsley can benefit from NCS: “I would encourage any young person to take part in NCS. It is a unique opportunity where you can develop life and employability skills, make new friends and have lots of fun.”