Premier League Inspires session gets inspiring visit from Doncaster Rovers player

Doncaster Rovers midfielder, Ben Close, dropped in at a Premier League Inspires session at Armthorpe Academy, earlier this week, to speak with participants about his career within football and join in with their football session.

Participants pre-prepared questions ahead of the visit, to delve into Ben’s background as a footballer, how he deals with pressure within professional sport, what his aspirations are once he reaches the end of his playing career and how what he did at school, helped shape his adult life too.

Speaking of the visit, he said: “I enjoy these kind of experiences, because it takes me back to when I was at school. That kind of energy and love that you have for football. It’s great when you see some of the kids faces when they’re talking about football, you can see how much they’re looking forward to playing at break times or afterschool. 

“Hopefully I’ve been able to give them inspiration and show them what it takes to get to that kind of level and also reinforce the idea that it’s not just all about football, it’s a very unique path. A message for these guys is you need to be doing well at school, even if you don’t enjoy all of it, you’ve got to try and stick with it and push through. 

“There’s a few Doncaster fans here which is great to see, them seeing a player from their club, coming in to talk to them and helping them realise they can achieve their dreams too, can inspire them further.” 

The Premier League Inspires programme, launched in 2019, uses the power of football to inspire young people aged 11-18 at risk of not reaching their potential, to develop the personal skills and positive attitudes needed to succeed in life. 

Through regular face-to-face group sessions, workshops and social-action projects, the programme empowers participants to develop personal, social, employability and life-skills, to help support them now and for their future. 

A spokesperson for Armthorpe Academy spoke of the programme delivered within their school. “It’s contributing to the personal development of some of our most challenging Y8 students. 

“The mentors have shown consistent care, patience and a genuine belief that our young people can succeed and consequently we have seen students' confidence grow, attitudes improve and resilience being built from their engagement in the sessions. 

“The programme has a legacy at Armthorpe Academy with participants from previous years still talking so highly about their experiences. 

“We are grateful for the opportunity for our students to participate in a programme which motivates, inspires and has a positive impact on them now, which will support their futures.”

Ben spent some time following the Q+A sessions, delivering a warm up and shooting drill with the participants before joining in a game of football to round off the visit.

Bobbi-Marie, attended the session on Monday, and feels inspired after meeting a professional footballer: “It’s a great experience, I really liked it.

“I’m massively into football, so when Ben told us how he became a footballer, it’s really inspiring and it makes me want to learn more about the pathway into professional football and makes me feel more inspired about things.”

Interested in finding out how your school can get involved in the Premier League Inspires programme, please contact ed.omahony@clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk.