Dale In The Community Sports Trust were delighted to receive news that the Premier League have provided funding for their Premier League Kicks sessions for the next three years.
The investment will enable more than 175,000 young people across England and Wales to access the PL Kicks sessions during that time.
Dale’s Community Trust have been providing these sessions for the last three years, giving over 300 youngsters the opportunity to play football on a weekly basis.
Rochdale’s Fabio Tavares was a regular attendee at these sessions as a youngster. Watch the FREE video above to hear how important they were to him, and what benefits they can have to local youngsters.
Head of Dale’s Community Trust, Keith Hicks, said: “The Premier League Kicks programme has been a massive acquisition to the Community Sports Trust delivery, offering fantastic opportunities for young people to not only take part in sporting activities, but to look at pathways into employment through volunteering having assisted our staff.
“Fabio took part in nearly 100 sessions when he was younger and is now playing for the firs team. That is really good for us and shows there is a future for any young person at Rochdale AFC.”
Premier League Kicks gives young people access to free football sessions, sports session and workshops, providing them with opportunities, support and pathways to fulfil their potential. It sees Club community staff working closely with young people and authorities in their local area, including police, Rochdale Youth Services, Link4Life and Rochdale Boroughwide Housing to create stronger, safer and more inclusive communities.
Aimed at eight to 18-year-olds, Kicks engages young people in positive activities through their passion for football, whilst also addressing topics covering everything from equality and inclusion to youth violence and knife crime.
Premier League support will see the programme grow so that 90 Premier League, EFL and National League Clubs are able to deliver sport and education sessions in hundreds of local communities where projects are needed most. With a focus on integration, equality and inclusion, thousands more girls will be engaged, and Clubs will deliver ever more inclusive sessions.