23 July 2024
More than 180 young people from across England and Wales will head to St George’s Park National Football Centre this week, to take part in the Under-16 mixed Premier League Kicks Cup.
The Under-16 mixed tournament is one of the competition elements of Premier League Kicks. This is the Premier League’s community programme, which sees clubs across England and Wales run free weekly football sessions and positive activity to engage and support young people.
Cardiff City FC Community Foundation will be taking part in the Under-16 mixed tournament, for the chance to lift the 2024 Premier League Kicks Cup trophy. Teams will also be recognised for respect throughout the tournament, with fair play trophies awarded by Premier League, EFL and WSL match officials.
More than 600 participants representing 88 professional football clubs across England and Wales took part in regional qualifying tournaments earlier this year, in the hope of earning the chance to play in the Premier League Kicks Cup finals, in the playing kit of their professional football club side.
Premier League Charitable Fund Chair and former Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner, Tim Godwin OBE QPM, said: “For over 17 years Premier League Kicks has had an incredible impact on local communities, providing more than half a million young people with free access to sport in the heart of their community.
“By providing safe spaces to play, Premier League Kicks strengthens communities and boosts safety in some of the most high-need areas of England and Wales. The Premier League Kicks Cup offers a brilliant opportunity to bring young people together to celebrate their involvement in positive activities and to develop their potential both on and off the pitch.”
Premier League Kicks began in Season 2006/07 in partnership with the Metropolitan Police, with the aim of involving and supporting young people in regular, positive and fun activity, whilst helping to create stronger, safer, more inclusive communities.
Today, clubs work with 36 territorial police forces throughout the country to tackle issues affecting young people, with regular sessions taking place in disadvantaged areas.
As well as providing young people with access to free football and sports activities, professional football club charities also provide additional year-round support through Premier League Kicks, offering mentoring, life skills advice and access to opportunities such as volunteering and social action to help aid personal development.
This season’s Premier League Kicks Cup finals will also promote gender equality and support players to have a more positive impact on their local communities. Participants will have the opportunity to take part in a range of additional activities, including hearing from inspirational guest speakers and gender equality workshops designed to challenge gender norms to inform their attitudes and behaviour both on and off the pitch.
Thanks to the Premier League’s official ball supplier, Nike, all participants will receive a customisable Nike gym sack and have the chance to capture their involvement in the tournament in a 360-degree photobooth. Additionally, all fixtures across the event will be played with the season 2024/25 Nike FA24 skill balls.
The Kicks Cup is a highlight of our year...
"The Kicks Cup is a highlight of our year, offering young people from our Cardiff City Kicks sites the chance to travel, compete, and join a larger community. It’s an inspiring event that promotes a sense of belonging and boosts their aspirations. These experiences help develop confident and well-rounded individuals." - Zac Lyndon-Jones, Head of Community Development
Alongside the participant focused activities, representatives from professional football club charities, territorial police forces and the National Police Chief’s Council will join the Premier League and Premier League Charitable Fund at Premier League Kicks Cup, to explore further opportunities to work together to create safer and more inclusive communities.
Since it began, more than 520,000 young people have participated in Premier League Kicks football and multi-sport sessions delivered by 89 Premier League, English Football League and National League sides. More than one million hours of sessions have been delivered since launch.
To date, the Premier League has invested more than £80million in Premier League Kicks through the Premier League Charitable Fund.
Visit premierleague.com for more information.
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