A group of 28 Young Leaders, aged 14-to-16-years-old, led the football events at this years Surrey Youth Games following a three day, accelerated, training programme that equipped them with coaching skills and a FA qualification.

The programme, which resulted in the FA Junior Organiser qualification, was run by Surrey FA in partnership with Active Surrey and Icon Training, to get more youth involved in sport.

Icon Training's young apprenticeship manager, Joseph Ballantine, said: "Having all 28 young learners completing an FA Junior Football Organiser course and using those skills to make a successful Surrey Youth Games is a tremendous move forward in getting young people into sport."

All 28 youngsters have now been enrolled on the FA Step into Sport programme and two volunteers have registered for a refereeing course off the back of the programme's success.

Icon Training, a vocational on-the-job training provider, also saw success earlier this year with its Young Apprenticeship programme for Sports Management, Leadership and Coaching.

The Learning Skills Council (LSC) awarded 16-year-old Alistair McQueen with the LSC South East Young Apprenticeship of the Year award. McQueen will also act as a Sports Ambassador for the 2012 Olympics, to help inspire youngsters to take part in sport.

McQueen said: "The Young Apprenticeship has given me the chance to explore the career path I may take in the future and has equipped me with qualifications which give me options to explore."

Guildford Spectrum Leisure Complex in Surrey received the LSC Medium Employer of the Year Award, for its role in delivering the apprenticeship programme.