The first-ever summer holiday camp run by the new JW9 Football Academy has taken place and while its main focus was on the beautiful game, the kids involved were able to try their hand at other sports.

Around 30 children aged 4-11 signed up for the course, which was run by former Barrow AFC striker Jason Walker at Parkside GGI Academy on Greengate Street, where the 35-year-old works.

Temperatures soared during the course of the week, but that did nothing to stifle the enthusiasm of those involved, who were there to keep active while their schools were out.

Whilst there, the kids were able to take part in activities involving golf, basketball, rounders and handball, while of course being taught how to hone their football skills by a man who scored 91 goals in 252 appearances, across two spells, for the Bluebirds.

Walker said: “Everyone knows that I come from a football background, but obviously I teach PE in school and I know a little bit about all sports.

“There has been a focus on football in every days, but there are other sports as well and we’ve done athletics and had little obstacle races and stuff and we’ve done basketball as well.

“It’s really good, the kids seem to be really enjoying it and I’ve had positive feedback from parents.

“I don’t want to say this week has gone better than I thought it would because I knew I could put on a good week, but when you see how the kids are enjoying it and parents are coming up to me and saying they’re desperate to come back, then that’s what you want to hear.”

Walker also thanked Ryan Rogers for his help in getting the camp to run as smoothly as it did.

Rogers himself was delighted with how popular each day proved to be, saying: “The numbers have been brilliant. We sort of set high expectations as for when our future camps come along to possibly get even more numbers.

“Working with Jason has been brilliant. As well as being a good professional, he’s fun and he’s good with the kids, so you’ve never got a dull day, especially when you’re working with him.

“It’s been roasting this week - I’ve been worse than the kids and I’m not even been doing anything, but if the weather wasn’t as good, I don’t think the kids would have enjoyed it as much.”

The JW9 Academy will be starting a course of six weekly sessions at Parkside every Monday from September 9, while the next holiday camp will take place during half-term from October 21.