Boro defenders David Wheater and Kyle Naughton took time out of their busy training schedules to take part in an Enterprise Academy event called 'Snip-A-Strip' where they had to captain two teams as they designed new shirts, which the players then modelled.
The Snip-a-Strip challenge is part of Boro's 'Community Champions' initiative highlighting much of the great work carried out by the club in the local community.
Year 9 and 10 students from Egglescliffe Secondary School and Eston Park School took part, with Eston Park, captained by David Wheater deciding on 'David's Diamonds' as their team name. The students from Egglescliffe Secondary School were captained by Kyle Naughton, and combined his first name with the name of their school to arrive at 'KylesCliffe Clothing'.
The object of the exercise was to design and create the shirt by finding out about the player, encouraging communication and team work, as well as the more creative aspect of the task.
There was also money and time management involved, as the students were given 'money' at the start of the task and had to decide which equipment and materials to 'purchase'.
Jonny, also from the Enterprise Academy, was acting as a shop keeper and was not immune to bargaining, and Wheater's team purchased some red felt for the princely some of a signed £5 voucher signed by the man himself, despite the fact that the item cost £10.
There was also some argument on Wheater's table as to how much input he should have. Wheater, reasonably enough, felt that, as the brief was to create a shirt based on his interests, and he would have to model the finished garment, he should have some say as to it's construction.
However one of girls had an equally good point, retorting: "but models wear what they are told to!"
In the end, Wheater's shirt featured a red car, 'because I'm from Redcar!', glittery hearts, in honour of David's birthday being Valentine's Day, and a glittery signature. Also included was a captain's armband, made by Wheater's own fair hands!
Meanwhile Naughton's group were using his liking for R n B to influence their design decisions with a ruched side and 'KYLE' emblazoned across the front in glitter. Following Wheater's 'car theme' Kyle's group included the circles which form the Audi logo as a nod to Naughton's own car. The shirt also featured claw marks as Naughton is one of England's young lions.
Kyle also thought the outfit needed tieing together, so fashioned himself some natty red glasses from out of pipe cleaners!
Naughton, said: "The glasses were my idea, I wanted something different. Hopefully I don't look a fool, but who cares!"
Despite a few technical problems, (the wheel fell off Wheater's car when he donned the shirt!), both boys took to the catwalk like naturals in their designs, and a spokesperson for each group described their creative process.
The judges then went to deliberate and the winners were announced to be David's Diamonds.
Enterprise Team Leader Helena Bowman, judging, said: " We were really really impressed with both designs."
However the winners were David's Diamonds, the girls from Eston Park, who asked if they could auction the winning design, as well as a signed ball for local hospice Zoe's Place.
Wheater said: "The event was great fun and the students certainly had some weird and wacky ideas for football shirts. I'm not sure I'd wear mine on the football pitch, but I certainly liked the theme based on my Redcar roots."
Naughton took defeat graciously, saying: "I can't believe Wheats won over me as well! I'd say I'm a better dresser!"
Both players enjoyed taking part though, with Naughton remarking: "I'd probably just be watching tv or playing on my XBox."
"It was good, we were all talking, there was lots of good ideas in there."
As part of Middlesbrough Football Club's community project, the Enterprise Academy has delivered the prospering courses throughout the Tees Valley since 2002.
Tutors on the groundbreaking programme have used the Middlesbrough Football Club model to inspire Tees Valley students and help them 'switch on' to the topics of business, enterprise and self-employment.
Supported by funding from the government's Single Programme and developed in partnership between the Premier League and Middlesbrough Football Club, Middlesbrough Council and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, the Enterprise Academy uses the football club as the model business when teaching the region's young people about business and the world of work.
Over 40,000 young people have already benefited from the mentoring, exciting activities and accredited courses on offer.
Enterprise Team Leader Helena Bowman said: "The Snip-a-Strip event was about rewarding schools and pupils who have worked with The Enterprise Academy over the last few years.
"The schools represented at this special event have a great relationship with Middlesbrough Football Club in the Community and this was a chance for the pupils to meet players and take part in a fun, interactive but challenging activity."
The success of Boro's Enterprise Academy has led to similar schemes being launched at Manchester United, Manchester City, Sunderland, Aston Villa and Newcastle United.
Under the 'Community Champions' banner, Boro stars will also be visiting The Shaw Trust in Stockton, Daisy Chain in Norton and Sunnyside School in Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, winners of a competition to 'win' a Boro player' and 10 tickets for forthcoming game.
For further information about the MFC Enterprise Academy contact Helena Bowman on 01642 757674 or visit the Enterprise Academy website at www.mfcic.co.uk
First published on www.ComeOnBoro.com on 9-4-10
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