Blackpool FC Community Trust has been delivering the Premier League Kicks programme for 16 years as the scheme celebrates its 20th anniversary Photo: Blackpool FC Community Trustplaceholder image
Blackpool FC Community Trust has been delivering the Premier League Kicks programme for 16 years as the scheme celebrates its 20th anniversary Photo: Blackpool FC Community Trust
This year marks 20 years of Premier League Kicks, a programme that has transformed opportunities for young people across the country by using the power of football to engage, inspire and support communities.
Blackpool FC Community Trust (BFCCT) have been delivering the programme for 16 years, providing safe spaces where young people can take part in sport, build friendships and develop valuable life skills.
The project offers free football sessions for young people aged eight to 18 in safe and welcoming environments.
Over the past few years, the programme has continued to grow, and we now deliver 14 weekly Premier League Kicks sessions, engaging more than 500 young people every week. Check out the timetable at www.bfcct.co.uk.
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Sessions take place at a range of community venues, ensuring that young people from different areas can access activities close to home.
While football remains at the heart of the sessions, Premier League Kicks is about so much more than just playing the game.
The programme helps young people build confidence, develop teamwork skills and learn the importance of respect, responsibility and positive decision-making.
One of the highlights of the weekly timetable is our U18 five-a-side league, which takes place every Tuesday evening at Aspire Sports Hub.
The league provides a fantastic opportunity for participants to experience competitive football in a positive, structured setting.
Each team represents their local Premier League Kicks session and competes each week in matches played with respect for teammates, opponents and staff.
Two years ago, our FA Girls’ Emerging Talent Centre (ETC) held annual trials, with an unprecedented number of around 500 players registering their interest in attending.
Because of this, BFCCT decided to set up shadow squads, branded as the Elite Coaching Pathway, which mirrors the ETC, runs for 30 weeks and follows the same curriculum.
Approximately 60 girls were invited to join this programme in 2024/25, which has been extremely successful.
Eleven players have made the step up into the ETC, with countless others being invited into other ETCs at Manchester United, Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers, Burnley, Preston North End and Westmorland.
In the last month, Kimaya Mirando (U12), Lottie Thomas (U13) and Taylor Quinn (U13) have successfully made the step up into the ETC.
Andy Aspinall, the female football development manager, said: “All three players demonstrate exactly what we want in our players, they are quick, athletic and powerful.
“They are all positive in possession and bring a goal threat to our group.
“Most importantly, they all have the mindset to work hard and to continue improving. We ask the girls to have a ‘growth mindset’, which these three definitely do!”
Four more girls have been invited to trial for the ETC this month, having been spotted in various environments including district fixtures and grassroots cup finals.
The ETC Talent ID team works tirelessly to try and unearth the next gem to bring into the elite BFCCT programmes.
To find out more about our female football programmes and how you can get involved, please email [email protected]
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