On Friday (26 July), Merseyside Police attended Netherton Activity Centre in partnership with LFC Foundation and Sefton Council to confirm that the Premier League Kicks programme will continue to be provided to young people in Sefton.

Football coaching events have been run at the Glovers Lane centre every Friday, and a total of 18 sessions are run every week by the charity across high-need areas in Merseyside. This will now continue into next season, restarting in September.

Matt Parish, Director of LFC Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be delivering our Premier League Kicks programme in Sefton in collaboration with Merseyside Police and Sefton Council.

“Their support means that we can continue to provide free sessions that help to inspire young people using the power of football in some of the most high-need areas.

“Our Kicks programme is a huge success and has been running across the Liverpool City Region for over 10 years. Last season (2018/19) we engaged with over 1,600 young children and young people at the 15 sessions we run weekly.”
Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy said: “The Premier League Kicks programme is a wonderful initiative which keeps our young people active and engaged. It’s just what they need and they love having the opportunity to work with the LFC Foundation.

“I am proud of the effort that Merseyside Police continues to make to work alongside organisations like the LFC Foundation and Sefton Council for the benefit of our young people and I thank all those involved for the time and energy they are investing in a brighter future for the next generation.”

Merseyside Police Community Policing Sergeant Ray Mavrakakis said: “It’s great to see the success of the LFC Foundation’s programme of free sessions in Sefton, which will now continue into next season.

“This is all part of a co-ordinated national and local approach to tackling issues of serious and organised crime.

“Our local officers work closely with partners and the communities to help those who might be drawn into gangs, preventing them becoming involved in a life of crime and offering them different pathways and a more hopeful future.”
Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our sporty youngsters in South Sefton.

“Our ongoing partnership work with Merseyside Police and the LFC Foundation works incredibly well and I am delighted to see that this wonderful programme has returned to Sefton once again.”

You can find more information on LFC Foundation at: https://foundation.liverpoolfc.com/programmes/sports-and-health/premier-league-kicks