3 minute read
FOCUS ON PREMIER LEAGUE PRIMARY STARS KIT & EQUIPMENT SCHEME
Last year saw the launch of the Premier League Primary Stars Kit & Equipment Scheme, with more than 3,700 football kits or equipment packs being sent to primary schools.
The Scheme enables primary schools across England and Wales to register online for either a free Nike football strip containing 15 shirts, shorts and socks, or an equipment pack with items to aid active lessons across the school curriculum including numbered cones, lettered floor spots, footballs and more.
Over the past two years and since the Premier League Primary Stars Kit & Equipment Scheme began, more than 7,500 primary schools have received free resources.
The Kit & Equipment Scheme is linked to the Premier League’s Primary Stars initiative, which uses the appeal of the Premier League and professional football clubs to inspire children to learn, be active and develop important life skills.
Premier League stars including Southampton FC’s Wesley Hoedt and Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Conor Coady headed to lucky primary schools to help deliver some of this year’s Premier League Primary Stars Kit and Equipment packs.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Kieran Trippier surprised pupils at St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, by delivering an equipment pack and taking part in a PE lesson. “Football is one of those sports that can bring children together... they seemed so surprised, they had big smiles on their faces when we opened the bag,” said Trippier. Headteacher Stephen McNicholas said “Having a top sportsman who’s really at the top of his game to come and visit our school and inspire us has been amazing.”
KINGS OF THE MANOR – PRIMARY SCHOOL STARS SHINE IN NEW KIT
For Manorfield Primary School, remaining a competitive footballing outfit was a proving a struggle without a full kit.
The School had already been benefitting from the free resources offered as part of the Premier League Primary Stars programme, before they took advantage of the Kit & Equipment Scheme. Class teacher Adam Eastick explained that the new kit made an immediate impact on his pupils. “They walk a bit taller when they wear it. It’s a really high-quality kit and as a school facing funding challenges, it’s great to have this kit provided by Premier League Primary Stars.
“Giving the girls pride in their kit and their representation of the school has also helped more of them to participate in team sports, which is great to see. As a result, I now have four girls who are really talented footballers and they’re taking it forward as a sport.”
Assistant head teacher Frank Harrowell reiterated Adam’s point about pupils’ pride in wearing the kit. “It was amazing to see the pride on their faces the first time they took that kit out of the box. They feel amazing when they put it on. It makes us stand out as a school, so they’re all desperate to be on that team. It’s a reward for all the hard work they do in school.
“A lot of normal school football kit doesn’t last long enough. The kids are less likely to engage with it if it’s not good quality. But if you’ve got high quality gear, like this Premier League Primary Stars kit, you’ll get high quality outcomes. For these kids, having that high-quality kit makes the world of difference.”
The kit has been hugely popular with the girls’ and boys’ football teams in years 5 and 6. Tanzil in Year 6, an Arsenal fan and aspiring striker, explained why it means so much to pull on a Premier League Primary Stars shirt. “Football inspires us – it’s about coming together, meeting new people, enjoying life, having fun. It’s not always about winning, it’s about pride in who you play for and what you do.
“It means so much to wear this kit with ‘Premier League’ on it, just like an Arsenal player. The Premier League giving you a kit is an opportunity you don’t get every day, so it’s a big thing for our whole class and the football team. It inspires us to do more and to be better.”
