Premier League Kicks has supported hundreds of thousands of young people to achieve their potential and improve their wellbeing through free weekly football sessions and educational workshops.
Premier League Kicks began in the 2006/07 season 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.
To date, the Premier League has invested almost £66 million in Kicks and in the year ahead an estimated 80,000 young people will take part in the programme.
Since it began, more than 440,000 young people have participated in Premier League Kicks football and multi-sport sessions held at community venues across England and Wales.
The programme started with four pilot clubs and is now run across 956 venues by 90 Premier League, English Football League and National League sides — all funded by the Premier League.
As part of the 15-year celebrations, clubs have nominated a Premier League Kicks ‘Local Legend’— somebody who has taken part in, volunteered, or worked on the programme and has inspired others through their dedication, work ethic and own personal development.
Each nominee will receive a bespoke ‘Local Legend’ football card, which has been created with support from Premier League partner Panini.
Keep an eye out for information about City in the Community’s ‘Local Legend’ next week!
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: “We are proud of the incredible impact Kicks has had on communities up and down the country over the past 15 years.
“As we mark the anniversary, this is an opportunity to celebrate the local legends who have helped make Premier League Kicks what it is.
“The success of the programme would not have been possible without the hard work and passion of club staff, coaches and volunteers working alongside young people at Kicks sessions, week in, week out.”
As well as providing young people with access to free football and sports activities, Premier League Kicks offers mentoring, life skills advice and access to opportunities like volunteering to help aid their development.
Detective Inspector Modeline Kelly from Greater Manchester Police works closely with CITC’s Kicks sessions. She said: “The work of the Premier League Kicks programme has been imperative to the success of curbing youth violence.
“We try and steer young people away who are on the periphery of youth gang activity and the Kicks programme has been intrinsic in that success.
“Kicks has helped to break down barriers between the police uniform and young people which is really important in the community.”
The League funds Premier League Kicks and other community programmes through its £100m investment per season in community facilities and community and education programmes.
This is the biggest voluntary contribution to communities and other good causes of any football league in the world.
As part of the Kicks anniversary celebrations, representative teams from all 90 Premier League Kicks clubs have been invited to attend one of six regional tournaments during February half-term (14—25 February 2022), bringing together more than 1,000 young people.
We’ll be sharing stories from City in the Community’s regional event later this month!
