Champions Day - Interview with PGL winners

 

PGL and Manchester United Soccer Schools have teamed up for the first time to make the MUSS world renowned football training programme available to schools. In order to promote this exciting new venture, PGL organised a series of preview weekends which enabled teachers from schools across the country to experience the MUSS coaching programme for themselves. Four teachers who attended these weekends won the chance to attend the Manchester United Soccer Schools Champion’s day to experience exactly what would be on offer to their young players, and to share their excitement as they stepped out onto the pitch in the “theatre of dreams”. 

So, on Sunday 15th May, the teachers; Nick Sparnon and Juliette Rimmer, from Bradford Girls Grammar School, and Daniel Close and Stefan Szymanskyk from David Young Community Academy, arrived at Old Trafford to take part in the Manchester United Soccer Schools’ Champions Day. They joined a selection of children, whose team-player qualities had stood out at the two-day Player Development courses in 2010, in an action-packed event which included a skills session on the pitch, a tour of the museum and club facilities, and a mini-tournament at the club’s Carrington training ground.

Speaking about Champion’s Day, Daniel Close commented: “Today has been a truly memorable occasion. The link-up between PGL and the Manchester United Soccer Schools is a great partnership and I am looking forward to encouraging as many youngsters as possible to sign up to the courses.”

Juliette Rimmer also shared her thoughts: “We have been incredibly well looked after by the Manchester United Soccer Schools team today and have been made to feel like part of a family. You can see how excited all the children are to be taking part in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and everyone has been encouraged by the strong team of coaches never to give up on their goals; something which we also strive for at BGS Girls.”

PGL added: “At PGL we believe that team work is key to success. Recognising each other’s strengths and working together to achieve the best result is important to drive learning and develop sportsmanlike behaviour. We believe that the PGL ethos sits very well with that of the Manchester United Soccer Schools, as both have very similar objectives and engage the young audience very successfully.”

For the four teachers who attended Champion’s Day, the experience highlighted that football really can be inspiring, ensuring that the needs of every child are catered for in order for them to pursue their hopes and dreams.

Next year’s MUSS Champions Day could include children from your school, so for details of forthcoming Manchester United Soccer Schools weekends at PGL please click here.