A recap of activities within the local community during the month of April
As the season headed towards its conclusion, striker Joe Mason paid a visit to Canon Slade School prior to the end of his loan deal with the club to offer advice to a group of local students.
The 22-year-old attended a workshop with youngsters who are currently partaking in the club’s newly established BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport (Performance & Excellence Pathway).
A link between Bolton Wanderers and Canon Slade which was formed earlier this year, the pupils are currently undertaking units across sport science with a view to progressing onto Higher Education at university.
Mason himself spent time with the students, offering advice and providing an insight into the lifestyle of a footballer in regards to nutrition and how a player’s diet can affect sporting performance at an elite level.
Elsewhere, young supporters packed into the Reebok Stadium’s Premier Suite for the club’s annual BWFC Juniors End of Season Party.
Fans were given the opportunity to meet and greet the first team squad, with musical entertainment, inflatables and party dances on offer throughout the evening.
There were also exclusive raffles prizes won, while Lofty the Lion was on hand to oversee proceedings.
The youngsters were then asked for their votes in various categories, with Lukas Jutkiewicz scooping the BWFC Juniors Player of the Year accolade, while Jay Spearing’s strike against Blackburn Rovers was named as the Goal of the Season.
The team were also rewarded for their display in the 5-1 victory at Elland Road against Leeds United with the Best Team Performance of the Season award.
There were also a number of Wanderers’ up and coming youngsters who took part in the club’s football courses over the Easter holidays.
Under-21 regular and Luxembourg international Yannick Bastos took time out to participate with local children on the popular holiday camps, with under-18 quartet Nathaniel Phillips, Tyler Garratt, Carl Kennedy and Kieran Nolan also joining in the fun after training.
Held at the club’s Lostock training facility and St Catherine’s academy, youngsters aged between five and 13 were provided which quality coaching focused on fundamental skills which incorporated small sided games.
The youngsters who attended the courses were also given a free ticket for Wanderers’ final Championship game of the season against Birmingham City.
Finally, Tim Ream was crowned as the Bolton Wanderers Supporters Association's Player of the Year with the American international pipping Neil Danns to the gong, which was presented at the BWSA end of season social.
Aside from the Player of the Year award, there was also a special moment for club stalwart Andrew Dean, who was presented with the Dave Higson outstanding service to Bolton Wanderers award.