A young unemployed man from Neasden won praise after overcoming a lack of confidence to go on and become a football coach through the Prince’s Trust.

A FORMER recluse turned his life around before going onto be shortlisted for a prestigious young achievers award after taking up a football coaching course.

Jorge Saavedra, 21, of Neasden Lane North, Neasden, was out of work, lacked confidence and struggled to deal with the outside world before he joined the Prince’s Trust’s programme for young unemployed people.

His transformation was completed last week when he was shortlisted for the Trust’s Young Achiever of the Year award coming runner-up at a ceremony at Arsenal’s Emirates stadium on Thursday, November 25.

Jorge said: “Everyone who knew me before cannot believe how much I have changed since I got involved with The Prince’s Trust. I love working with youngsters and teaching them about football. I was over the moon to be nominated for the Young Achiever of the Year award – it is amazing to have been picked.”

Jorge, who was nominated from 3,000 young people supported by the Trust, has now completed his level one and two coaching badges as well as gaining a qualification in lifeguarding.

He is now working as a youth football coach with the under 13s team at Prince’s Park Youth Football Club, in Cool Oak Lane, West Hendon, and with the Kickz football programme with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

He said he soon hopes get a job as a security guard but will continue to teach the kids football.

He said: “It’s really enjoyable and fun. I would say to anyone who was in my situation to get some training or work experience and work your way up.”