Its valid training for the student pilots and the controllers alike. Many eons ago when I was learning to fly in a JP, it was incredibly comforting to have some one available to help you out and avoid blundering into shark infested custard (controlled airspace). For gods sake, I could have got lost for about 3 months in my back garden.
I know of guys that are afraid to do a PA; let alone talk to someone in an emergency. Guess what, a training fix could actually be a swiss cheese stiopper. For those and the other tyros out there have some humility and remember we all had to start somewhere.
Oh, and you can get the footy scores on HF.
Ghost