Students at a local primary in Fulham were recently visited by two Premier League stars. They were there to celebrate and kickstart Fulham FC Foundation’s new partnership with Alive and Kicking. Alive and Kicking are a charity supporting ethical employment through producing football for use by children in the UK.
On Friday 20th January, First Team players Carlos Vinicius and Manor Solomon attended St John's Walham Green and met with their Year 6 pupils to help with designing of a football as part of Fulham FC Foundation’s new partnership.
The Alive and Kicking football design competition has engaged students from Fulham FC Foundation partner schools, both Primary and Secondary, inviting them to draw an entry which celebrates the 20th anniversary of Fulham FC Foundation this season. Their drawings will be put in front of a panel of judges who will decide on a winning design for Alive and Kicking to produce in Africa!
Pupils and staff also got the opportunity to ask questions to Carlos and Manor, as well as posing for photos with their Fulham heroes!
This player engagement was in support of delivering the Premier League Primary Stars programme, which Fulham FC Foundation deliver as part of their commitment to building better lives through sport. We hope that the students of St John’s not only benefitted from meeting these Premier League footballers, but also gained a better understanding of both Alive and Kicking and Fulham FC Foundation’s charitable purposes in their communities.
“It was genuinely exciting and inspiring for our pupils and staff to have two current Fulham FC players visit our school and engage in a session designing footballs. The players took the time to share their experiences and answer a variety of questions from our Year 6 pupils with honesty, humility and humour. Yet another positive and enriching experience for our school, due to our longstanding partnership with Fulham FC Foundation.” - James Welch, PE Lead of St John’s Walham Green
“A particular highlight was the question and answer session with our Year 6 pupils. Cameron asked what it feels like when you miss a goal and Manor shared some real wisdom about moving forwards positively and not allowing the more challenging moments of the game to cloud your thinking – a real life lesson indeed, both on and off the pitch. This is such an excellent example of how Premier League players can positively influence the lives of young fans. A huge thanks to both players for spending time with us – we’ll never forget it and have the photos to prove it! Thank you, Fulham FC Foundation!” – Hannah Abu-Ghaida, Deputy Head of St John’s Walham Green
“It’s always a unique and special experience to members of staff and pupils being able to get First Team players visiting one of our local partner schools! This was a fantastic opportunity for us a Foundation to highlight our strong connection and relationship with the football club. St John’s Year 6 class had the opportunity to learn about charity work and to get involved in designing a football in partnership with Alive and Kicking!” James Bailey, Schools Development Assistant Fulham FC Foundation
To learn more about our work in local schools, or to enquire about Fulham FC Foundation working in your school please contact us.
