Man Utd legend Rio Ferdinand teams up with The Jockey Club to launch new scheme to get more young people into racing | The Sun

MANCHESTER UNITED legend Rio Ferdinand has teamed up with The Jockey Club to lauch a new initiative aimed at getting more young people into racing.

Former England hero Ferdinand, 43, took in the sights at Royal Ascot last weekend and is excited about branching out into a new sport.

His foundation's scheme will launch at Sandown Park, Epsom and Kempton Park before hopefully becoming nationwide.

Initially educating those aged 16 to 24 through open days, sessions and visits, The Jockey Club will also showcase the vast array of jobs horse racing offers.

The Jockey Club, which operates 15 racecourses and stages some of Britain’s biggest sporting events including the Cheltenham Festival, Randox Grand National and the Cazoo Derby, will then work with the Foundation to provide mentoring and support.

The young people taking part in the programme will gain the relevant training and formal qualifications to prepare them for a career in racing.

Ferdinand said: "I’m really excited that we’re going to be working with The Jockey Club to demonstrate to so many young people everything horseracing has to offer, both as a career path and a sport.

“Ten years ago we set up the Rio Ferdinand Foundation with the aim of supporting and empowering 16 to 24-year-olds from some of the UK’s most disadvantaged communities, whilst also tackling racism and inequality head on.

“Ever since then we’ve helped thousands of young people through education and employment, opening their eyes to the opportunities that are out there and helping them make the most of the skills and talent they have.

Most read in Horse Racing

TEMPLEGATE'S TIPS

My NAP is a hugely promising Windsor runner with bags of potential

HOL LOTTA LOVE

Loving moment Hollie Doyle is congratulated by hubby after biggest ever win

'IT'S TERRIBLE'

Royal Ascot tragedy as fan favourite horse dies from mystery illness

'I FEEL SICK'

Ascot punter's life-changing £84k win up in smoke after cashing out for £460

OFFERS OF THE DAY

William Hill: Bet £10 GET £30 in free bets – CLAIM HERE

Betfair Money Back as Cash up to £20 if your first bet loses CLAIM HERE

Paddy Power: Bet £/€20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – CLAIM HERE

Sky BetBet anything and get £30 in Free BetsCLAIM HERE

William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. New customers using Promo code H30 only, Min £10/€10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15/€15, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. Begambleaware.org

Betfair – Max £/€20 refund on first bet. Bet must be placed in first 7 days of account opening. Only deposits made via Debit Card will be eligible for the promotion. T&Cs apply. 18+ BeGambleAware.Org

Paddy Power: Bet £/€20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £/€20. Only deposits made using Cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £/€10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £/€10+. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org

Sky Bet: NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY,FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY, 5p MINIMUM STAKE, 3 x £10 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS EXCLUDE VIRTUALS. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. NO FREE BET EXPIRY. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. 18+ BEGAMBLEAWARE.ORG

“Day in, day out we work with community centres, education providers and a whole host of industries with the goal of helping young people realise their true potential and it’s fantastic that we’re now able to do the same in horseracing through this collaboration with The Jockey Club."

Nevin Truesdale, chief executive of The Jockey Club, added: “We want young people and people from all backgrounds to look on horseracing as a sport and an industry which is full of opportunities for them.

“By working with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation we aim to introduce racing to a group of young people who have never previously considered it as a pastime or an industry to work in.

"My colleagues across The Jockey Club come from a significant range of backgrounds and this initiative will help highlight that it’s not essential to want to work directly with animals or to have a racing background to have a career in the sport.

“We’re just as passionate about the work the Rio Ferdinand Foundation is doing in the community as those who have helped make it the huge success it is today and we can’t wait for this partnership to get started.”

More information can be found here.

FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

  • Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
  • Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
  • Never chases their losses
  • Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
  • Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
  • Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

    Source: Read Full Article