Michael Briggs, from South Shields, was one of the first four student coaches to receive sponsorship from the Tony Blair Sports Foundation (TBSF).

And the 19-year-old has already bagged himself a job at South Tyneside Council thanks to the foundation's support.

Michael will meet Mr Blair and Paralympic gold-medallist Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson at Gateshead College's Academy for Sport to show the pair the skills he has picked up.

The funding from the TBSF enables students to go out into the community to help encourage more young people to participate in sport.

Michael, along with Gavin Howard, James Andrew and Phillip Goessen, all 17, received sponsorship to complete their Athletics Level 1 Coaching Award at Gateshead College.

The qualification puts them on the first rung of the coaching ladder and qualifies them to assist experienced coaches.

Michael and the other students have completed the coaching qualification and are now ready to use their new skills to work with children and young people in local schools and sports clubs.

The TBSF was set up last year in order to encourage more young people into sport, particularly those who are socially excluded – by inspiring more adults to become trained coaches.

While at the £15m academy, Mr Blair and Dame Tanni will see how the students' coaching skills will benefit young people.

Led by coaches from England Athletics, they will work with youngsters to demonstrate training for the pole vault, throws and sprints at Gateshead College's indoor athletics track.