By linking top-tier football clubs and local
sports clubs together, the project is testing out a new way of
helping young people move from school sport to regular club
participation.
The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and
Sport visited a school in a deprived area of Liverpool recently to
see how Premier League 4 Sport (PL4S) is using the power and
expertise of the Premier League to inspire young people to take up
new sports.
The project, delivered in partnership by the
Premier League, Sport England and the Youth Sport Trust, is linking
up Premier League and local community sports clubs to:
- Attract 25,000 young people to four Olympic
sports
- Create 80 new sporting ‘hub’ clubs
- Develop 320 satellite clubs on school
sites.
The Rt Hon Ben Bradshaw met PL4S staff from
Everton and Liverpool FC and saw first-hand the work they are doing
with the governing bodies for badminton, judo, table tennis and
volleyball to showcase their sports to local schoolchildren. Taster
sessions on the day in each sport provided an opportunity for the
young people to try out the different activities under the watchful
eye of experienced coaches.
Sport England is working with the Premier
League to create more grassroots sporting opportunities for
youngsters as part of the Government’s PE and Sport Strategy for
Young People (PESSYP). By linking top-tier football clubs and local
sports clubs together, the project is testing out a new way of
helping young people move from school sport to regular club
participation. If successful, Sport England will look to support
partners across the country to replicate this model.
“Premier League clubs are at the heart of
their local communities, delivering quality projects that tackle a
range of important issues,” said Richard Scudamore, Chief Executive
of the Premier League. “Premier League 4 Sport will build on
existing work, encouraging young people who love football to think
about taking up another sport. With the pedigree that our clubs
have in delivering projects, I am confident it will be a huge
success.”
“Premier League 4 Sport provides Volleyball
England with a fantastic opportunity,” said Lisa Wainwright,
Volleyball England's Chief Executive. “It will put the Olympic
disciplines of indoor, beach and sitting volleyball in the shop
window for the next generation of players, coaches, officials and
volunteers.”
To find out more about PL4S, visit
the Premier League’s website