Annual Premier League Kicks play on the pitch event success once again

On what was one of the warmest days of the year so far, 16 teams graced the Eco-Power Stadium pitch for the annual Premier League Kicks play on the pitch event, on Tuesday.

For those attending one of our local weekly Premier League Kicks sessions, our Club Doncaster Foundation coaches were on hand to select their teams in the run up to the event, with representation from five different areas from across Doncaster.

Football Club Charities (FCC’s) were also in attendance, from across Yorkshire and the North East, to add extra competition to the tournament.

Teams were playing for the Champions League and Europa League trophies, with group stages taking place for the majority of the morning, before league standings determined the latter stages of the competition for the afternoon. 

The Premier League Kicks programme gives young people access to free football sessions, sports sessions and workshops, providing opportunities, support and pathways to achieve their full potential, in the local area to create stronger, safer and more inclusive communities.

Mark Cooper, Sport Development Officer for the Foundation, heads up the Premier League Kicks programme and spoke about the success of the tournament. “It’s been fantastic. We’ve been running this tournament for six years now and this is probably the biggest attendance we’ve had. 

“We’ve had 11 FCC’s come along and five of our own groups, who have been representing a number of our sessions across Doncaster.

“For our lads, they get to play on a professional football pitch inside a stadium, they’ve got their parents in the stands, it’s a great experience. A lot of our participants are Rovers fans, they’re seeing their heroes playing on this pitch and now they are too. It’s a tournament we want to continue you to build on each year. 

“All our sessions are in areas which are in high deprivation, so it’s great that we can provide experiences like this, which if it wasn’t for Kicks, it more than likely wouldn’t happen, so for us to give them that opportunity, with their friends, it’s fantastic.”

One of the weekly sessions, Eco-Power Kicks, is delivered at the stadium, for those within central Doncaster. Arvin attends on a regular basis and featured in the tournament and spoke about being involved in the day and the programme as a whole. “It’s been a good day, the weather, the amount of games. Not a lot of people get to do this, for people to come along and everyone enjoy themselves, it’s great. 

“I love football. I get to meet new people, make new friends and just have a good time. I feel like I’m a part of something, which is just an incredible feeling.” 

Alan Fulton, Premier League Kicks Co-ordinator for Leeds United Foundation, has brought a team for the second year running. “We’ve had a fantastic day, it’s our second time coming along and we thoroughly enjoyed it. 

“The guys here always do a great job providing the kids an opportunity to play on the pitch and be a part of a great tournament, we are very thankful for all the staff who made this possible.”

Following a tense round of fixtures and knock out stages, Middlesborough FC came out victorious to win the Europa League trophy, after beating Derby County on penalties, while Sheffield United beat Bradford City in the final of the Champions League to take the trophy home. 

Congratulations to everyone involved on the day!

If you would like to find out more about the different sessions as part of our Premier League Kicks programme, please visit the Doncaster Kicks Facebook page!