First Premier League Kicks Challenge Encourages Teamwork

- The Premier League Kicks Challenge ran for a total of six weeks
- Participants aged 12-16 took part in the weekly challenge
- The winning team won a trip to Ninja Warrior Leicester as their prize
- Leicester City in the Community run Premier League Kicks sessions across Leicester and Leicestershire

Leicester City’s charitable arm ran a Premier League Kicks Challenge which aimed to encourage teamwork and friendly competition.

Taking place over six weeks, participants aged between 12 and 16 had the opportunity to represent their local Kicks session by completing the different challenges set every week. Tasks included a penalty rush, crossbar challenge, and a half-way line shot.

Participants from Leicester City in the Community’s Kicks sessions in Beaumont Leys, Hinckley, St. Matthews, St. Margaret’s Pastures, Braunstone and New Parks all took part and were placed on a leaderboard.

Three minutes were given for each team to complete the challenge at the beginning of their weekly session, with a Leicester City in the Community coach present to record the results.

Cory Holas, Community Engagement Coach at Leicester City in the Community, discussed the creation of the weekly challenge.

“We started the Kicks Challenge to add something new, competitive and engaging to our Kicks sessions,” he explained. “We wanted to encourage teamwork among our participants, while creating fun and interesting sessions.

“The challenge aimed to improve their skills, wellbeing and confidence, as well as creating healthy competition.”

The winners of the Kicks Challenge were participants from the session at Green Towers Hinckley Club For Young People, which takes place on a Monday evening. After earning first prize, participants each received a football, and an opportunity to attend an afternoon at Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Leicester.

Speaking after receiving his rewards, Kicks participant Harry reflected on the challenge as a whole.

“I thought it was very good, it was fun to try and compete to win something,” he began. “The end goal was something we’d all enjoy. It was very good to know that we’d earned a good day out.”

Due to the success of the first Kicks Challenge, Leicester City in the Community are looking to start a brand-new event in the near future.

For more information on the Premier League Kicks programme, please contact Kicks Coordinator Ali Adnan: ali.adnan@lcfc.co.uk.