Following a three-year hiatus, the Premier League Kicks Cup returned last month, providing young people with the chance to compete with other communities on the pitch and represent their local clubs.

PL Kicks is the Premier League’s current longest-running community programme, which celebrated its 15th anniversary earlier this year.

Since it began, more than 440,000 young people have participated in PL Kicks football and multi-sport sessions run across 936 venues by 90 Premier League, English Football League and National League sides. The weekly free sessions allow young people to get exercise, learn and hone skills in sport and life, as well as taking part in regular workshops.

More than 1,000 youngsters took part in this year’s PL Kicks Cup over three days in Nottingham in June, representing over 70 different clubs and participating in the boys’, girls’ and pan-disability competitions.

The Watford Community, Sports and Education Trust entered a team for each competition.

Made up of players from sessions in Harrow, Hillingdon and Hertfordshire, the boys’ team featured youngsters who the Trust’s PL Kicks coaches felt deserved to represent them based on ability, commitment, attitude and behaviour at sessions.

The final squad was selected after a trial session; Joe Booth, Joe Hanson, Olly Pope, Cristiano Faria, Nico Romano, Becaye Jabbi, Samuel Kin and team captain Liam Fortune. Winning three, drawing one and losing one in the group stages, the boys advanced to the knockout stages, where they were narrowly defeated by Reading.

Following the same selection criteria as the boys’ team, the girls’ team was selected prior to the tournament and featured: Amelia Mongia-Duthie, Aniya Patel, Charlotte Davey, Lara Freitas, Merryn Dyson, Matilda Walker and Ruby Havens. The girls reached the semi-finals of the competition thanks to their excellent team spirit, with all playing exceptionally well.

Saj Vigneswaran, PL Kicks Officer at the Trust, gave more background on two players and their journeys to success on the programme.

“Amelia and Lara attended a 12-week programme called Premier League Changemakers, which is a female leadership qualification run by Watford FC Trust through the Inspires programme,” said Saj.

“The girls were referred by their schools to Chessbrook, a Pupil Referral Unit. The girls started the course quite shy but came out of their shell as the weeks went on. Throughout the programme they took part in ice breakers, weekly activities, and group discussions. After completing their written work, the girls were rewarded with use of the football pitch at the Meriden Community Centre.

“After many kickabouts both the girls were put forward to represent Watford FC Trust in the PL Kicks Cup. They were chosen for their hard work, good behaviour and footballing abilities.

“The girls impressed the coaches right from the off as they arrived ahead of the scheduled meet time. They were an asset to the club throughout the entire tournament. They engaged well, behaved perfectly, and went above and beyond for the team.”

Nineteen clubs attended the PL Kicks pan-disability event on the final day of the competition. Captained by Rocco Bentley, the team consisted of: Callum Yates, Arun Patel, Niamh Douglas, Mark Johnson, Alfie Bevan and Alex Green.

The team were unfortunately knocked out in group stages, but maintained a positive morale and consoled others who were eliminated. As a result of this, Watford were the recipients of the Fair Play award.

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