Fabrice Muamba launches Brighton employment project

Former Arsenal midfielder Fabrice Muamba helped launch a new scheme with BrightonandHoveJobs.com and The Albion at the American Express Community Stadium. The project aims to help young players get ready for life after football.

Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest in March 2012 whilst playing for Bolton in an FA Cup 6th round fixture against Tottenham Hotspur. Having someone of Muamba’s poise and experience made a big difference to the Academy players involved in the scheme. Jamie Horncastle said: “It drives us on to be the best that we can be in whatever it is, it may not be football.”

Fabrice Muamba’s principal message to the budding footballers was that it’s about personal confidence. He said: “It’s just about the boys actually doing it themselves, wanting to learn and having that plan B.”

The scheme itself could be implemented on a larger scale in future. Gary Peters founded BrightonandHoveJobs.com and believes the wider community could benefit from specialist workshops on job applications. He told Latest Sport: “we hope to be rolling this out across schools at all ages. Its all about inspiring youngsters, go and show them how its done and give them choices.”