Children who take part in the “Play on the Pitch” initiative in Manchester with Rebecca Welch
Submitted by Nick Dawes
The Manchester United Foundation gave children from schools across the city the opportunity to follow their heroes and play on the lawn of the Theater of Dreams (Old Trafford Football Stadium).
The Play on the Pitch initiative offered 48 children the opportunity to take part in courses led by trainers from the foundation. Many children were rewarded for their academic achievements.
The children experienced a full game day, visiting the locker room and walking through the players tunnel onto the pitch at Old Trafford, Greater Manchester.
The memorable morning was rounded off with the children taking their photos with the Premier League trophy.
The aim of the initiative is to give young people opportunities in sport and the opportunity to play in the same stadiums as their heroes.
Emma, a student at the Dean Trust, said, “It was amazing and I got butterflies just thinking about it. I loved the 6v6 games as it felt like you were in a real game with a real audience. I’m not going to shut up about it; I will tell everyone.
“I play soccer inside and outside of school, so I’m happy that more girls like me are playing and enjoying soccer together.”
After the launch of the UEFA European Women’s Championship, a central theme of the day was the celebration of women’s football.
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Rebecca Welch recently became the first woman to lead a game in the English Football League and was present at the Play on the Pitch event.
She said, “I think the Manchester United Foundation is doing a great job of providing amazing opportunities like this to young people.
“The chance to play football at Old Trafford might not have been possible without the Foundation, and the kids will go home thinking, ‘I want to do this every week!’
The work they are doing here is absolutely brilliant; We saw that on the square. “
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