LFC Foundation’s Premier League Kicks Football+ project returns
Liverpool FC’s official charity, LFC Foundation, delivered its first Premier League Kicks Football+ educational workshops since February at Anfield Sports and Community Centre.
It was a welcome return to activity for those youngsters who had been selected due to good behaviour and attendance at Premier League Kicks sessions prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The project combines educational, often hard-hitting, themed workshops with practical and active team-building activities over three days, with external, highly skilled partners delivering sessions in their area of expertise, such as Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) on road safety.
This platform gives teenagers the opportunity to develop key life skills and participate in a zero-judgement group learning environment.
This time around, delivery had to be adapted to adhere to the current governmental restrictions, to ensure the safety of both participants and coaching staff.
MFRS, which has partnered with the Kicks Football+ project for many years, began the week with a road safety presentation, delivered by Vincent Taylor at the organisation’s training and development academy in West Derby.
Safety around water followed this, with the group learning about the effects of cold-water shock, with important advice to adhere to, particularly during the hotter summer months.
The group also travelled to Derry Mathews’ boxing academy in Liverpool city centre to participate in a boxing fitness circuit class, delivered by the former professional boxer.
After the session, the youngsters took part in a Q&A discussion with local professional boxer Jazza Dickens, who offered insight into his own experiences and successes.
On the second day, the group took part in a nutritional cooking class with chef James Holden of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts. Holden, a 30-year professional, has prepared meals in the past for the Queen, the England national football team and FC Barcelona – a fact that delighted the youngsters, who were keen to know what Lionel Messi eats.
The group prepared healthy pizzas from scratch and followed this by preparing some delicious fruit salads. It was then off to Aintree Golf Centre in the afternoon to play foot-golf.
On the final day of activities, the group visited the National Football Museum in Manchester, with a specially adapted guided tour about the history of football and various milestones that still impact the game today.
To learn more about LFC Foundation’s Premier League Kicks project, including the latest bookable sessions across Liverpool, please click here.
