This Easter school holiday, 1,216 children were active, developed skills and took part in activities with friends - while making some new ones - thanks to various offers from Watford FC’s Community Sports and Education Trust. Adding some excitement to the many different courses, a range of stars from Watford men’s first-team met with local youngsters for photos, autographs and to join in the fun!

That total number included 909 children on football holiday courses at Roundwood Park in Harpenden and Westfield Community Sports Centre in Watford over the two weeks of the school holidays, as well as one week at Cedars Youth and Community Centre in Harrow. That equates to an average attendance of 50 children at each venue every day. These courses aim to develop youngsters’ footballing ability through drills, matches and coaching.

The Hornets players who paid a visit to the courses included Craig Cathcart, Francisco Sierralta, George Abbott, Hassane Kamara, Imrân Louza, James Morris, Leandro Bacuna and Mario Gaspar.

The Trust delivers holiday camps at no cost to children on the free school meals initiative, ensuring youngsters are provided food and activity throughout the school breaks, in addition to their in-school support. These Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programmes are funded by the Department for Education (DfE).

Sessions are delivered at the two community hubs - the Cedars Youth and Community Centre in Harrow, and Meriden Community Centre in North Watford. The Watford-based camps, known as HAPpy (Holiday Activity Programme) courses, are a partnership between Hertfordshire County Council, Herts Sports Partnership and Hertfordshire Community Foundation. A total of 162 children attended throughout the week, with 42 unique individuals benefiting from the course, which included football, dodgeball, arts, crafts and workshops, as well as their hot lunch.

Similarly, the camp at Cedars Youth and Community Centre - delivered in partnership with Young Harrow Foundation, commissioned by Harrow Council - was held during week two of the holidays with 120 children attending over the course of the week.

Finally, Watford defender Ryan Porteous attended Meriden Community Centre as the community hub hosted players from the Under-16 age group at the Trust’s Girls Player Development Centre. The players were taking part in the Hertfordshire FA Leadership Award, delivered by the county FA and funded by Herts Sports Partnership. As well as developing their skills as coaches, there was signposting to the relevant online courses and opportunities to follow up with a referee course and an introduction to coaching football when the players turn 16 years old.

To keep up to date with all things Watford FC Community Sports & Education Trust, search @WFCTrust on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube - or visit www.watfordfccsetrust.com.