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Liverpool levelling the playing field for disadvantaged kids

16 July 2015

Sixty South Australian children from disadvantaged backgrounds will this weekend have a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to train with Liverpool FC Foundation the official charity of the iconic English Premier League team, Liverpool Football Club. 

At the coaching clinic the students, who are all supported by The Smith Family’s Learning for Life sponsorship program, will participate in drills and activities designed to improve their soccer skills and teamwork.

 The Smith Family South Australia General Manager, Graham Jaeschke said: “Liverpool Football Club has millions of passionate fans around the world and is arguably the most popular club in the English Premier League. To provide a coaching session for our students is just incredible and we can’t thank them enough.”

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we are so excited to be able to offer it to our students, who have all shown an outstanding commitment to their education.

“The legacy of Liverpool and the coaching clinic will stay with them for years to come and we know that they’ll never forget this day.”

The Smith Family, a national children’s education charity helping disadvantaged young people to succeed in their education, supports more than 10,000 children and their families across South Australia each year.

Research from The Smith Family’s Sport, culture and the internet: are Australian children participating? shows that close to half of all children living in disadvantaged communities did not participate in either sport or cultural activities during the past 12 months.

“As well as playing a vital role in promoting physical and mental health and wellbeing for children, sport helps them develop essential social skills while fostering a sense of confidence and belonging,” added Graham.

“For many children, school is the major pathway to these sporting and other activities – but our research shows that many from disadvantaged communities are missing out.

“This is an opportunity our students could never have imagined and will not only help to improve their soccer skills, but their self-confidence and belief that they can achieve their dreams.

“The players are international sporting heroes, but the adversity that our students overcome every day and the commitment they make to their education, means that too are champions.”

The coaching clinic has been organised by Liverpool Football Club through its philanthropic arm, the Liverpool FC Foundation. The Smith Family has also been selected as a ‘charity of choice’ for the Open Training session that will be held at Coopers Stadium on Sunday evening.