Ref. 28132-44THE power of football has been helping children in Swindon to enjoy learning for five years.

The Study Centre in Swindon Town Football Club has given some 3,000 nine to 14-year-olds the chance to use computers and have fun with footballers since 1998.

It is a scheme which first started at Newcastle United Football Club in April, 1998.

Prime Minister Tony Blair, a Newcastle fan, wanted to stop boys underachieving at school. Taking the classroom to the football ground seemed an ideal way to tackle this problem.

The project proved an instant success and, by November, Swindon Town, then in Division 1, had its own study centre.

The centre, which has 50 computers, has just celebrated its fifth birthday and is going from strength to strength.

Centre manager Martin Turnbull said: "It is all about motivating children to learn and to achieve. We are thrilled with the results."

Schools throughout the borough are invited to use the facilities after school.

Jonathan Lovett, 12, a pupil at St Joseph's School, has just finished a 10-week course at the centre.

He said: "It has been brilliant. I interviewed a Swindon Town footballer and wrote up the interview on the computer."

Fellow pupil Michael Sore, 12, was equally enthusiastic. He said: "I love football, so coming here is great. I have gained more computer skills and can now create spreadsheets."

Girls also enjoy the scheme. Cherish Vines, 10, a pupil at Gorse Hill Junior School, was pleasantly surprised when she visited the centre.

She said: "I'm not a big football fan, so I didn't get my hopes up. But it has been fantastic and I have learned so many new computer skills."

This year the centre had a turnover of £250,000. Telecommunications group NTL, Nationwide building society and the Government have all provided funding.

Swindon College also helps by paying rent to use the facilities for adult courses during the day.

Three years ago the centre expanded, opening a second computer suite at the County Ground.

In addition to computers, scanners and printers, robots have also been bought to broaden the education programme.

Last summer saw the launch of Robo Soccer a tournament where children programmed computers to shoot goals.

Youngsters then gave presentations on their robots to encourage teamwork.

Pupils from Covingham Park Junior School have enjoyed working with the robots. Hannah Miller, 10, said: "It is great fun and the work has brought me closer to my friends.

"Programming robots sounded complicated at first, but we soon got the hang of it."

Fellow pupil Bethany Gore, 10, was impressed with the facilities. She said: "It is amazing what you can do here. It doesn't feel like work, but you learn so much."

Swindon Town footballers support the initiative by giving interviews to pupils.

Captain Andy Gurney, 29, said: "The centre is a big hit with children."

The centre now aims to raise £40,000 to refurbish the computer network.

Martin Turnbull said: "We need to stay at the forefront, so children can learn from cutting edge equipment. The work they produce shows how worthwhile the centre is."

Victoria Tagg