Graduation Tales | Curtis took a chance and turned his life around

This week, the International Convention Centre Wales in Newport will once again see thousands of our graduates cross the stage in their cap and gown. To celebrate, we are sharing the stories of some of our inspirational students.

Curtis Griffin, from Cardiff, graduates this week from University of South Wales (USW), having turned his life around to succeed in completing the BSc (Hons) Community Football Coaching and Administration.

Curtis grew up in the care system. He said: “I didn’t know my father and my mother was not well enough to look after me and my siblings.

“My home life wasn’t great. My brothers and I moved around a lot and were often separated, which had a big psychological impact on us growing up. We didn’t have any structure or emphasis on education.”

His passion for sport was ignited when a primary school teacher (also a football coach) scouted him for Cardiff City Youth, and he won a place in the Centre for Excellence. However, when he went to high school, he fell in with the wrong crowd.

“We lived on a council estate and was surrounded by some bad influences. One day, I got into a fight. I was put into custody for assault and, when I was 16 years old, I went to prison.

“When I was released all I was concerned about was making money. I got into a lifestyle that was unsustainable. I was arrested and incarcerated again,” he said.

In the meantime, Curtis’ son was born and that was a lightbulb moment for him. He said: “I knew I had to get on the right path. I wanted to be a role model for my son. I took a step back and thought, if I don’t change now, when will I ever change?

“So, while I was in prison, I enrolled on various courses and I endeavoured to help others. I helped fellow prisoners with reading, writing, and finding employment and mentored first-time prisoners. While I was mentoring, I was approached by St Giles College. They were impressed with how much I had matured and offered me a voluntary position whilst studying for a level 3 qualification.”

Whilst Curtis was studying, he started to ask himself if he could succeed at university. Encouraged by his mentor at St Giles, he realised he had always been interested in sports coaching. He completed an Open University course initially and then progressed to the USW degree, based at Newport County Football Club.

He said: “I have so many ideas for the future. I might go straight into youth coaching, undertake a postgraduate degree, or even teaching. I want to make a difference in young people’s lives. If I see anyone heading down the wrong path, I can speak to them from experience and try and guide them the other way. Maybe they will listen to someone who has been there and turned things around.”

Bobby Briers, Course Leader at USW, said: “Curtis has been the model example for mature learners, going back into education. His commitment to the course and his studies has to be commended. Whilst holding down a full-time job and family commitments, he has embraced the various coaching experiences and educational challenges he has been faced with and overcome them with class. He has been a pleasure to work with, from our first contact whilst he was completing his application, and I very much look forward to seeing him graduate.”